Sexual Calling by Workers Using the Metatibial Glands in the Ant, Diacamma sp., from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Several species of the ant genus Diacamma reproduce through mated workers (gamergates). Such gamergates have no wings and therefore are unable to conduct nuptial flight. Instead they perform a sexual calling behavior by standing outside the nest and rubbing the tibiae of their hindleg over the surface of the arched gaster. In a series of exclusion experiments we demonstrate that secretions from the metatibial gland are the most important component in making the virgin female attractive to the males.