Atta Texana Research Articles

Trail Pheromones: Responses of the Texas Leafcutting Ant, Atta texana1 to Selected Halo- and Cyanopyrrole-2-Aldehydes, Ketones, and Esters

Several halo- and cyanopyrroles related to the trail pheromone of Atta texana (Buckley), were prepared and tested by a faster and more sensitive bioassay than was previously available. Responsiveness of the ants in descending order to these compounds, based on the substituent in the number two position, is: esters, methyl ketones, aldehydes. Slight activity was observed when the nitrogen atom of the pyrrole ring was alkylated.

Ploygyny in a Colony of the Fire Ant Solenopsis geminata1

Although the queens of some ant species have long been known to unite to found colonies (pleometrosis), only a few species have been observed to have multiple queens in a single well-established colony (polygyny). Brian (1965) and Sudd (1967) reviewed the works of several authors that reported finding multiple queens in well-established colonies of certain Lasius species. Gray (1971) reported finding multiple queens in colonies of Myrmecia dispar (Clark) and M. desortum Wheeler. Wilson (1971) reviewed some of the same reports mentioned by Brian and Sudd and cited other instances of the finding of multiple queens in a single colony. He stated that large colonies of Campanotus herculeanus (Latrielle) and C. ligniperda (Latrielle) often contain several queens. He further stated that J. C. Moser and M. S. Blum, respectively, in personal communications had reported the occasional finding of 2 queens in colonies of Atta texana Buckley and “Solenopsis saevissima.” The latter species is very closely related to S. geminata (F.), belonging to the same genus. Also Markin et al. (1972) found as many as 50 of the queens of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, clustered together under stones, cans, or other debris following nuptial flights and from 2 to 5 queens in common brood chambers with egg masses and small larvae. However, by the time the 1st workers appeared, only a single queen remained and in well-established colonies no more than one fertile queen was ever found.

Synthetic analogs of the trail pheromone of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana

Synthetic analogs of the trail pheromone of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana

A volatile trail pheromone of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana

The major volatile trail-marking pheromone of the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana, was isolated, identified as methyl 4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate, and synthesized. The synthesized pheromone elicited strong trail-following responses from workers in the laboratory and the field.

Synthesis of the trail marker of the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley).

Synthesis of the trail marker of the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley).

Identification of the trail pheromone of a leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana.

THERE are numerous reports of the isolation and identification of insect sex pheromones, and recently a termite trail-following pheromone was isolated and identified1, but this is the first isolation and identification of an ant trail pheromone to be reported. We have identified the major volatile component of the trail marking substance laid down by the town ant, Atta texana (Buckley), as methyl 4-methylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (I). The worker ants of Atta texana, whose trail marking substance contains both volatile and nonvolatile components2, readily followed trails made by us with synthesized (I).

The Hymenopterous Poison Apparatus. X. Morphological and Behavioral Changes in Atta texana (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Atta texana (Buckley) and other members of this genus no longer utilize the 8th and 9th gonapophyses as part of their defensive system. Although the sclerites that comprise the stinging apparatus in most aculeate Hymenoptera are present in this species, they seem to function only in the deposition of trail pheromones. A mechanical and chemical defense, through the utilization of a sting and associated venom components, has been replaced in attines by a new mechanical defensive system, primarily the powerful mandibles. The morphology of structures responsible for the deposition of trail pheromones is discussed along with the new means of defense and associated behavioral characteristics.

A new species of Neivamyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Louisiana.

A new species, Neivamyrmex moseri, collected from a nest of Atta texana (Buck ley) in Louisiana is described. Illustrations of the head, mandible, alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole are included. A taxonomic review of the 17 forms of legionary ants comprising the subgenus Neivamyrmex Borgmeier of the United States was published by Smith (1942). Neivamyrmex was raised to a genus by Borgmeier (1950). A complete review and revision of the approximately 140 Neo tropical species of Dorylinae was published by Borgmeier (1955). Sev eral hundred workers of the new species of Neivamyrmex herein de 1 Accepted for publication April 8, 1968. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 41:528-531. October, 1968. This content downloaded from 40.77.167.91 on Mon, 05 Dec 2016 04:51:14 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms Vol. 41, No. 4, October, 1968 529 scribed were collected from a nest of Atta texana (Buckley) by John C. Moser. The specimens were originally identified as Neivamyrmex pauxil lus (Wheeler, 1903) by another worker, and samples from this group have been deposited in several collections with the above name attached. I am grateful to Dr. John C. Moser for collecting and permitting me to describe these interesting specimens, and to Father Thomas Borg meier and Father Walter Kempf for their confirmations of the new form and the gift of specimens of macrodentatus (Menozzi, 1931). I wish to thank Dr. Carl W. Rettenmeyer for originally informing me that spec imens of N. pauxillus sent to him from Louisiana belong to a different species from those which I sent to him from Texas. Neivamyrmex moseri, n. sp. (worker) Major worker. Length 3.10 mm. Head (Fig. 1): median length without mandibles 0.78 mm, width 0.83 mm, sides slightly convex, pos terior margin broadly concave with rounded corners. Eyes absent. Man dibles (Fig. 4) characteristic, but somewhat similar to those of macro dentatus (Fig. 6). Basal tooth large, triangular, not curved. Mastica tory border with three teeth, the middle tooth less than half the length of the outer teeth, posterior tooth longest. Frontal carina short, curved outward and upward to form distinct lamella ending at the lower, inner edge of the antennal depression. Antenna short (1.10 mm); scape length (0.375 mm), about one-half median head length, greatest width 0.125 mm, narrower at the base and gradually thickening distally; flagellum length 0.725 mm, greatest width 0.10 mm, gradually thickening distally, last segment more than two times length of penultimate segment. Ali trunk robust, dorsally flattened, length 1.10 mm, greatest width 0.50 mm. Mesoepinotal suture well defined. Epinotum slightly longer than wide, length 0.45 mm, width at base 0.38 mm, posterior surface in pro file steeply sloped and moderately concave (slightly concave to almost straight in some specimens). Petiole in profile strongly convex dorsally; anteroventral tooth large, pellucid, keel-shaped. Petiole from above slightly longer than broad, length 0.35 mm; greatest width 0.30 mm, length of node 0.25 mm, with slightly convex sides and concave anterior face. Postpetiole wider than long with convex sides, length 0.25 mm, greatest width 0.35 mm. Gaster somewhat flattened and elongated (more elongated in smaller specimens), length 1.10 mm, greatest width 0.80 mm. Hind femur and tibia about same length (0.65 mm). Proximal segment of hind tarsus almost as long (0.43 mm) as remaining segments combined (0.48 mm). Scattered punctures on the head, alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole, but most distinct on the dorsum of the alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole. Mesopleura shagreened. Body, including appendages, shining, yellowish brown, covered with scattered erect and suberect hairs which are longest on the gaster. Minor worker. Length 1.90 mm. Head slightly longer than wide, median length without mandibles 0.48 mm, greatest width 0.40 mm, This content downloaded from 40.77.167.91 on Mon, 05 Dec 2016 04:51:14 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 530 Journal of Kansas Entomological Society

Volatility of trail marking substance of the town ant.

WE have found that the trail marking substance laid down by the town ant, Atta texana (Buckley), contains at least two components, one volatile and the other nonvolatile ; both are followed by workers. Both components partition into the organic phase of a methylene chloride water system.

Assimilation and transfer of mirex in colonies of Texas leaf-cutting ants.

Foraging workers from colonies of the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley), feed directly on bait containing mirex. They pass the toxicant to other ants by regurgitation. Because mirex is a slow-acting stomach poison, workers have time to distribute it throughout the colony.

Texas Leaf-Cutting Ant Controlled With Pelleted Mirex Baiet1

A pelleted bait containing 0.45% mirex plus soybean oil in a citrus-pulp carrier gave excellent control of the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley), in all seasons. The minimum dosage is approximately 1 g per mound, broadcast over the central nest area plus a 20-foot peripheral zone.

Chemical releasers of social behaviour—V. Source, specificity, and properties of the odour trail pheromone of Tetramorium guineense (F.) (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

The source of the odour trail pheromones of Tetramorium guineense (F.) and T. caespitum (L.) is the true poison gland. Neither species of Tetramorium will follow each other's artificial odour trails. On the other hand, T. guineense follows artificial odour trails prepared from the poison glands of two attines, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (McCook) and Atta texana (Buckley) and vice versa. The poison gland of T. guineense is a rich source of free amino acids, and the odour trail pheromone is a trace constitutent of the venom. This pheromone is a relatively stable compound with a low vapour pressure. Based on its solubility characteristics, it appears to be a fairly short-chain mono-functional compound whose chemical properties would not be inconsistent with those of an alcohol. The ability of different myrmicine genera to draw from the common constituents of the poison gland for their odour trail pheromones probably explains why the myrmicine poison gland extracts lack species specificity.

New Species and Stages of Nearctic Fannia R.D. (Diptera: Muscidae) Associated with Nests of Hymenoptera

Abstract>Descriptions and figures are presented of both adult and immature stages of a new species, Fannia moseri, from nests of Atta texana in Louisiana; and the female and larvae of F. binotata Chillcott, and mature larvae of F. americana Malloch, from nests of Bombus spp.

Inquiline Roach Responds to Trail-Marking Substance of Leaf-Cutting Ants

Nymphs and females of the roach inquiline, Attaphila fungicola W. M. Wheeler, respond to odor-trail substances of Atta texana (Buckley) and Trachymyrmex septentrionalis (McCook). The ants are more sensitive than raoches to the pheromone.

Trail Marking Substance of the Texas Leaf-Cutting Ant: Source and Potency

The trail-marking substance of Atta texana (Buckley) is formed in the true poison gland and deposited by the sting. This attractant is initially produced by teneral workers. The substance obtained from mature, large workers is the most potent.

Trail Marking Substance of the Texas Leaf-Cutting Ant: Source and Potency

The trail-marking substance of Atta texana (Buckley) is formed in the true poison gland and deposited by the sting. This attractant is initially produced by teneral workers. The substance obtained from mature, large workers is the most potent.

Trail Marking Substance of the Texas Leaf-Cutting Ant: Source and Potency

Ultrafiltrates of human myoglobin from 200 individuals were examined by starch-gel electrophoresis. Only two variants, Mb Aberdeen and Mb Annapolis , of the commonly occurring myoglobin Mb + were encountered. Each variant is apparently inherited as an autosomal codominant. Heterozygotes for either mutation lack apparent muscular disease. Combined electrophoresis and chromatography of Mb Annapolis indicate a loss of arginine at a position near the C-terminal portion of the molecule.

Contents and Structure of Atta texana Nest in Summer

A large nest of Atta texana (Buckley) in central Louisiana was partially excavated in August 1960. Twelve dormancy, 5 detritus, and 93 fungus-garden cavities were found. Fungus-garden cavities near the surface outnumbered those at lower depths and contained most of the fungus material and brood. Inquilines were most numerous in detritus cavities. Dormancy cavities are described as new to science. They resemble fungus-garden cavities, but differ in that the cavity is irregular in shape, the substrate is tightly packed and has a silage-like odor, and workers and inquilines in them arc torpid.