Chemical crypsis in predatory ants

Summary The repellent responses of worker termites to ants are determined by the exocrine gland secretions of the latter. Specialized termite predators produce non-repellent aliphatic alcohols as the major components of their mandibular glands, whereas unspecialized con-generics usually produce repellent ketones and aldehydes.Acknowledgment. A C.A.S.E. Award (C.L.) from S.R.C. and the Centre for Overseas Pest Research is gratefully acknowledged as are facilities provided by the Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria at Mokwa.