Lignoceric acid and hexacosanoic acid: Major components of soldier frontal gland secretions of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)
Abstract
Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on trimethylsilyl derivatives of soldier frontal gland secretions of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Ranges of 17.23-33.78 mg/g (acid/wet weight of secretion) of lignoceric acid and 5.39-7.67 mg/g of hexacosanoic acid were found in the soldier frontal gland secretion of three different colonies. This is the first report that organic acids occur in the soldier secretions of this species.
This paper has been withdrawn.