Extraction and analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons in the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most diverse and ubiquitous groups of social insects the largest family under the order Hymenoptera. In insects, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) function as chemical cues for the recognition of mates, species, and nest-mates in social insects. The surface of insects is covered by a complex mixture of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) to prevent desiccation. In this study, the cuticular hydrocarbons profiles (CHCs) of weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina workers was extracted and analyzed in Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results reveal that O. smaragdina CHCs extract composed straight-chain and branched-chain alkanes and alkenes. A total of 18 CHCs were identified in the workers of O. smaragdina. The major cuticular hydrocarbons such as Hexadecane (C16H34), Octacosane (C28H58), Octadecane,9-ethyl-9-heptyl (C27H56), Heptacosane (C27H56), Eicosane,9-octyl (C28H58) and Pentatriacontane (C35H72 ). These cuticular hydrocarbons might be acted as a chemical messenger between the ant colony, nest, nest-mate recognition of the weaver ant O. smaragdina.