The evolution of hydrocarbon pheromone parsimony in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) – interplay of colony odor uniformity and odor idiosyncrasy. A review

Hydrocarbons are the main lipid constituents on the insect cuticle, and generally provide the insect with a waterproof layer to prevent desiccation. In many insects this class of chemicals has been coopted to serve as pheromones. In social insects, in particular in ants cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have at least two pheromonal functions. They act as recognition cues that facilitate colony insularity, protecting it from parasites or conspecific invasions. Supporting evidence for this function are their extreme complexity, their colony specific composition, and in a few cases also demonstrating elevated or reduced aggression between encountering ants as a function of the label (alien or nestmate) they were…