Tetracosane on the cuticle of the parasitic butterfly Phengaris (Maculinea) nausithous triggers the first contact in the adoption process by Myrmica rubra foragers. (13th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solazzo, Gaetano; Seidelmann, Karsten; Moritz, Robin F. A.; Settele, Josef
• Is Part Of: Physiological entomology. Volume 40:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2014-12-13
• Subjects: Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; 571.157
• DOI: 10.1111/phen.12083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0307-6962

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="phen12083-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p id="phen12083-para-0001"> <italic>Phengaris (Maculinea)</italic> butterflies are social parasites of <italic>Myrmica</italic> ant colonies. Larvae of the parasite are adopted by the ant workers into the colonies. Apparently, chemical signals are used by <italic>Phengaris nausithous</italic> Bergsträsser larvae to mimic those of the host brood to be recognized by the ants. In the present study, chemical extracts of ant brood and butterfly larvae using four different solvents are tested in behavioural choice assays in search of compounds involved in the adoption process. Tetracosane is the main shared compound in all brood extracts of <italic>Myrmica rubra</italic> L. and in all larvae of <italic>P. nausithous</italic>. The attractiveness of tetracosane for <italic>M. rubra</italic> workers is confirmed by testing synthetic tetracosane in behavioural choice assays, suggesting that the adoption ritual may be initiated by tetracosane.</p> </abstract>