The staphylinid beetle Trichopsenius frosti Seevers has the same cuticular hydrocarbons as those of its host termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) and it biosynthesizes them. These cuticular hydrocarbons probably serve as the primary mechanism by which Trichopsenius frosti integrates itself into the termite colony.

The cuticular hydrocarbon components of four castes ofReticulitermes virginicus (Banks) have been identified and quantitated. Components identified includen-alkanes; 2-, 3-, 11-, 13-, and 15-methyl-alkanes; 11,15-dimethylalkanes, (Z)-9-alkenes; (Z,Z)-7,9-dienes; and (E/Z)-6,9-dienes ranging in carbon number from C21 to C40. All caste forms ofR.virginicus contained the same components, but showed caste-specific proportions. Comparison of these hydrocarbons with those of the sympatric termiteR. flavipes (Kollar) suggest that cuticular hydrocarbons might serve as species- and caste-recognition cues. A bioassay was developed to test this species-recognition hypothesis, with the experimental results supporting the hypothesis.

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A comparative analysis of the venomous alkaloids produced by ant species in the subgenusMonomorium of the genusMonomorium has been undertaken. All species produce mixtures of unsymmetricaltrans-2,5-dialkylpyrrolidines, but the proportions of the constituents may vary considerably between species. All alkaloids contain both C6 and C9 side chains which are present as C9-saturated. C6-monounsaturated, and both C6-and C9-monounsaturated dialkylpyrrolidines. The structure of 2-(1-hex-5-enyl)-5-(1-non-8-enyl)pyrrolidine, a previously undescribed alkaloid, was proved by unambiguous synthesis after the location of the double bonds was established by the methoxymercuration-demercuration followed by mass spectrometry. The possible chemotaxonomic significance of the mixtures of venomous alkaloids produced by these species ofMonomorium is discussed.

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