Ants are like chemical plants because they possess many glands that produce, store and secrete chemicals, each with a specific function.
Hover over glands' names to discover their function.
Metapleural Gland :
It produces antiseptics and antibiotics on the body
to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and fungi. |
Propharyngeal Gland :
As the labial gland, it produces digestive enzymes. |
Labial Gland :
As the propharyngeal gland, it produces digestive enzymes. |
Postpharyngeal Gland :
produces and stores fat to feed the larvae. |
Mandibular glands :
It produces alarm pheromones.’ |
Tergal Gland :
It can attract partners in reproductive
therefore it is found only in queens and males. |
Pygidial Gland :
It produces leak and warning pheromones, sex pheromone
and odors to scare away foreign ants. |
Poison Gland:
it produces formic acid that burns the flesh
or venom for killing prey and scare away the attackers. |
Dufour's Gland:
Produced trail pheromones that generally lead to food.
They last for a hundred seconds or so. |
