SESQUITERPENES IN THE FRONTAL GLAND SECRETIONS OF NASUTE SOLDIER TERMITES FROM NEW-GUINEA

In five New Guinea Nasutitemres (N. gracilirostris, N. novarunhebridarum, N. torresi, N. triodiae, and an undescribed species N. sp.F), we have detected and identified IO sesquiterpenes. Eight of these compounds (beta-eremene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, alpha-muurolene, gamma-selinene, beta-selinene, germacrene-A, and gamma(2)-cadinene) were identified by GC and GC-MS (EI). Two uncommon sesquiterpenes, (5R*, 7R*, 10S*)-selina-4(14),11-diene and (5R*, 7R*, 10S*)-selina-3,11-diene, were identified by GC, GC-MS (EI, CI), GC-FTIR, and mono- and bidimensional NMR. Whereas in most species sesquiterpenes are present in low or trace amounts, in N. novarumhebridarum the sesquiterpenic fraction of soldier frontal gland secretion is equal to that of the monoterpenes.