Carbon Dioxide, a Releaser for Digging Behavior in Solenopsis Geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The behavior of ants digging through sand or clay in the directionof trapped nestmates has been described by Belt (1874) and Lafleur(I940). Wilson (1958) showed that in Pogonomyrmex badius(Latreille) this behavior pattern is released by a volatile substanceoriginating from the mandibular glands. Later, McGurk et al.(1966) identified the responsible compound as 4-methyl-3-heptanone.At the same time, Blum and Warter (1966) isolated 2-heptanonefrom Conomyrma pyramica (Roger) and described its function asthe releaser of alarm and digging behavior. Spangler (1968) reportedthat not only whole workers, but also amputated parts as wellas larvae and pupae of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Cresson) attractworkers of this species and release digging behavior. Forrest (1963)studied Lasius flavus nearcticus and four species of Acanthomyops andfound that workers also dig to free ants of another species but attackthem as soon as they are released