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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Biological Control of Pests Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198713

Title: CHEMISTRY OF THE FECES OF THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS, SOLENOPSIS INVICTA BUREN (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Author
item Chen, Jian

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2006
Publication Date: 7/30/2006
Citation: Chen, J. 2006. Chemistry of the feces of the red imported fire ants, solenopsis invicta buren (hymenoptera: formicidae). Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In an ant colony, feces are not just metabolic waste; they often affect colony functions. Knowledge on the chemistry of the feces may be helpful in understanding their effect on the ant behavior. Feces of workers, larvae, alates and queens of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Uric acid was the major nitrogenous product; however, urea, purine derivatives, nitrogen-containing organic acids, and amino acids were also detected. Thirteen monocarboxylic acids, thirteen dicarboxylic acids and one tricarboxylic acid were identified. Phosphoric acid and glycerol were also found in all samples.