Volatile Constituents of the Red Wood Ant Formica Rufa L. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

From workers of the red wood ant Formica rufa L. 68 compounds could be identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Abdom ina contain a row of bishom ologue saturated and unsaturated uneven numbered hydrocarbonswithundecane as the major product. In addition, 13 formic acid esters could be identified among which hexadecyl formate ispresent in particularly large amounts. Main components of the head extracts are methyl 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanoate, 3-ethyl-4-methylpentanol and tricosane. © 1985, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.