Abstract
Several species of the ant genus Diacamma reproduce through mated workers (gamergates). Such gamergates have no wings and therefore are unable to conduct nuptial flight. Instead they perform a sexual calling behavior by standing outside the nest and rubbing the tibiae of their hindleg over the surface of the arched gaster. In a series of exclusion experiments we demonstrate that secretions from the metatibial gland are the most important component in making the virgin female attractive to the males.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 869-877 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Insect Behavior |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Calling behavior
- Diacamma
- Metatibial gland
- Ponerine
- Sexual pheromone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Insect Science
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Cite this
Nakata, K., Tsuji, K., Hölldobler, B., & Taki, A. (1998). Sexual calling by workers using the metatibial glands in the ant, Diacamma sp., from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Insect Behavior, 11(6), 869-877. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020816227912