The terpenes citronellol and citronellal are present in the mandibular glands of Lasius umbratus (Nylander).The alcohol constitutes about 85% of the volatile material in the mandibular gland, whereas the aldehyde is a minor constituent. Citronellal functions as a releaser of alarm for L. umbratus and citronellol is probably employed as a defensive secretion. The gross morphology of the mandibular gland and its reservoir is described. The importance of relative volatility and other factors which may govern the suitability of specific alarm pheromones for ants are discussed.
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Blum et al. (1968) studied this question.
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