Behavioral changes in workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa induced by chemical components of Eucalyptus maculata leaves

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology 2004-09, Vol.30 (9), p.1771-1780
• Main Authors: Marsaro, A.L. Jr, Souza, R.C, Della Lucia, T.M.C, Fernandes, J.B, Silva, M.F.G.F, Vieira, P.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal behavior; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Ants - drug effects; Ants - physiology; Atta sexdens; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; chemical constituents of plants; Chemicals; Essential oils; Eucalyptus - chemistry; Eucalyptus - toxicity; Eucalyptus maculata; Flowers & plants; Formicidae; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; induced resistance; insect pests; Leaves; Myrtaceae; Oils, Volatile - chemistry; Oils, Volatile - isolation & purification; Oils, Volatile - pharmacology; pest resistance; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plants and fungi; Sesquiterpenes - chemistry; Sesquiterpenes - isolation & purification; Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane - chemistry; Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane - isolation & purification; sesquiterpenoids; Trees
• ISSN: 0098-0331; 1573-1561
• DOI: 10.1023/b:joec.0000042400.14451.08

The response of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel workers to essential oils, epicuticular wax and hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus maculata was evaluated. Hexane extracts of E. maculata interfered with the recognition mechanism among workers. The main active compounds identified from this plant were the sesquiterpenes elemol and beta-eudesmol. These compounds may be responsible for the resistance of this species to ant attack.