Aggression, altruism and chemical rhythm of formic acid in Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius)

In the polymorphic colony of Oecophylla smaragdina, the content of formic acid (Fa) in major workers was 9.7 ± 0.7 mg/gm tissue which was 1/4 of the content of minor workers, 1/3 of the content of intermediate workers and 10 times higher than that of the non biting reproductive forms. Larvae and pupae had no traces of Fa in their body. During the 24 hour cycle the major workers showed a chemical rhythm in content of Fa with a peak of it at noon and low amounts in morning, evening and night. Continuous bite for 30 minutes resulted in a significant increase in the content of protein together with a decrease in content of free amino acids and complete stoppage of activity of transaminase enzymes together with a sharp decline in contents of uric acid and urea in both head and thorax. Slight but significant decrease in content of glucose together with no significant change in the contents of glycogen and lactic acid after 30 minutes of biting highlights the efficiency of insect tracheal system in supplying O₂. Hyper proteinemia in ants within a short period of 30 minutes was evidenced by additional bands in electrophorogram.