title: Behavioral changes in workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa induced by chemical components of Eucalyptus maculata leaves.
abstract: The response of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel workers to essential oils, epicuticular wax and hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts of Eucalyptus maculata was evaluated. Hexane extracts of E. maculata interfered with the recognition mechanism among workers. The main active compounds identified from this plant were the sesquiterpenes elemol and beta-eudesmol. These compounds may be responsible for the resistance of this species to ant attack.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36571-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: A L Júnior
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marsaro
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: T M C
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Della Lucia
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: M F G F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Vieira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001938:Brazil; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D045787:Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D045787:Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane; C051082:beta-eudesmol