Abstract
Two different manifestations of alarm behavioursensu stricto are distinguished inCremastogaster scutellaris. In pheromone experiments the former type of alarm is released by exhibiting the worker's abdominal secretion, whereas the latter alarm is induced by pheromones from the mandibular gland. The behavioural pattern of this latter kind of alarm was analysed from cinematographic records. A quantitative bioassay has been established. The major components of the mandibular gland secretion, 3-octanone and 3-octanol yield an incomplete alarm reaction. Hence the synergistic involvement of its minor components, not yet identified, is assumed to be resoonsible for the release of full alarm behavior. The volatile substances of the mandibular secretion are found in rather low concentration as a permanent component of the nest odour. Their concentration is, however, not increased during intensive frenzy alarm activity in the nest, but non-identical substances, presumabely discharged from the abdominal secretion, appear in significant quantity. The mandibular gland secretion hence is assumed to be released only with the biting act in this species.
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