Mandibular gland chemistry of four Caribbean species of Camponotus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

The volatile components of whole-body extracts of males, females and workers were analyzed in four species of Neotropical ants in the formicine genus, Camponotus. The species, C. kaura, C. sexguttatus, C. ramulorum and C. planatus, represent three different subgenera. Volatile mandibular gland components were found only in male extracts in three of the species. In C. ramulorum, volatile components were found in male and female reproductives and workers. 3,4-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methylpyran-4-one and octanic acid were found in different sets of three of the species. Methyl 6-methyl salicylate was found in two species and the isocoumarin, mellein, was found in a third species. The significance of the mandibular gland secretion for formicid systematics is discussed.

Health information, the Internet, and the digital divide.

Through an analysis of recent data on adults' and children's computer use and experiences, this DataWatch shows that use of computers and the Internet is widespread and that significant percentages of the public are already using the Internet to get health information. The surveys also show that the Internet is already a useful vehicle for reaching large numbers of lower-income, less-educated, and minority Americans. However, a substantial digital divide continues to characterize computer and Internet use, with lower-income blacks especially affected. Implications for the future of health communication on the Internet also are explored.

3-methyl-4-phenylpyrrole from the ants Anochetus kempfi and Anochetus mayri.

The cephalic extracts of the ant Anochetus kempfi were found to contain 2,5-dimethyl-3-isoamylpyrazine (1) and 3-methyl-4-phenylpyrrole (2). The structures of these compounds were established from their spectral data and by comparison with synthetic samples. This is the first report of a phenylpyrrole found in an insect and only the third report of a pyrrole from ants.