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Colony Founding by Queens of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta1

1972; Oxford University Press; Volume: 65; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1093/aesa/65.5.1053

1938-2901

George P. Markin, H. L. Collins, Justin H. Dillier,

Animal and Plant Science Education

The method by which newly mated queens of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, found new colonies was investigated. Immediately following the nuptial flight 1 to 5 queens construct a nest consisting of a vertical tunnel about 7 cm deep containing a small cell at either end. Within 24 hours the entrance is closed and the queen (or queens) raises the 1st brood in this sealed burrow. When the 1st small workers emerge, they reopen the nest and begin to forage. While queens successfully produced 1st workers at temperatures between 24 and 35°C, optimum temperature was found to be between 27.5 and 32°C. After the nuptial flight eggs were laid in 2-3 days, the 1st larvae appeared in 6-8 days, pupae in 14-15 days, and the 1st workers in 20-24 days. Under actual field conditions the 1st workers were on the surface foraging in 22-31 clays.