The feeding behaviour of the ghost ants, tapinoma melanocephalum (fabricius) and tapinoma indicum (forel) (hymenoptera: formicidae)

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dc.contributor.authorWong, Jing Wen
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-11T01:21:06Z
dc.date.available2014-11-11T01:21:06Z
dc.date.issued2007
dc.descriptionMasteren_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis focuses on the feeding behaviour of two species of the ghost ant, namely Tapinoma melanocephalum (Fabricius) and Tapinoma indicum (Forel). The feeding preference, food distribution behaviour and foraging activity of both species were compared, and several factors that could affect their responses were explored. In feeding preference studies, food particle size was found to affect the feeding of the ants, but no effects of concentrations and viscosities of the food were found. However, ghost ants were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) attracted to 60% (w/w) sucrose solution with agar consistency of 0.5%. Saccharose and sucrose in liquid forms were the most preferred carbohydrate, while proteinaceous foods such as fresh dog food, lobster cockroaches (Nauphoeta cinerea) powder, fresh sardine and fresh cat food were most preferred. On the other hand, egg yolk was the most preferred lipid source. No significant difference (P > 0.05) in feeding preference was found between T. melanocephalum and T. indicum in all the evaluations, indicating that both species showed a similar feeding preference. Ghost ants showed a constant preference for carbohydrate during the entire 12-week study period, and colony changes did not affect their preferences. Carbohydrate satiation, however, caused T. melanocephalum to forage for either lipid, or proteinaceous food. T. indicum, on the other hand, showed consistent preference towards carbohydrate food, irrespective of the food type that they were satiated with. Different concentrations and viscosities of sucrose solution showed an effect in food-sharing behaviour in the colonies studied. The number of workers feeding and sharing 60% (w/w) sucrose solution was found to be higher than 30% (w/w) and 10% (w/w). Besides that, 60% sucrose solution was distributed and shared most rapidly among the worker ants (with >75% workers in the colony receiving it within 24 hours). Distribution of proteinaceous and lipid foods were relatively low and slow in the ant colonies. No queen was found feeding on protein as the presence of alternate sources of protein in the colonies such as trophic eggs, sick or dying workers and injured eggs, larvae and pupae could be possibly affecting the intake of protein through food. Peak foraging activity for T. melanocephalum under normal colony condition was at 0730, while broodless and queenless colonies did not demonstrate any clear trend in foraging activity. Colony condition and food type were not affecting the foraging activity in these two species.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/396
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectBiological scienceen_US
dc.subjectFeeding behaviouren_US
dc.subjectGhost antsen_US
dc.titleThe feeding behaviour of the ghost ants, tapinoma melanocephalum (fabricius) and tapinoma indicum (forel) (hymenoptera: formicidae)en_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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