Food preference, foraging activity and virtual baiting of the forest fire ant, tetraponera rufonigra (jerdon) (hymenoptera: formicidae)
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Date
2011
Authors
Sumino, Tomoki
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Abstract
This dissertation focuses on the feeding preference, foraging behavior,
population estimation, as well as control of the forest fire ant, Tetraponera nifonigra
(Jerdon). Among different types of lipid food provided, T. rufonigra preferred egg yolk
the most (P < 0.05). However, they did not show any specific preference toward
different choices of carbohydrate and proteinaceous foods that were provided (P > 0.05).
When their most preferred food from each of the three food class was selected, they
showed higher preference for carbohydrate-base food (sucrose) than those of proteinrich
food (tuna) and lipid-base food (egg yolk) (P < 0.05). Qualities of food did not
affect much on their feeding preference. They were attracted to the sucrose solution
from 60% to as low as 20% concentration (P < 0.05). Foraging activity rhythm of T.
rufonigra was negatively correlated with ambient relative humidity (y = - 2.565lx +
235.28, r2 = 0.525, P < 0.05) but positively correlated with ambient temperature (y =
11.22x - 288.36, / = 0.7304, P < 0.05). Peak activities were recorded between 0800
hours and 1800 hours. It could forage over a distance of 46 ± 8.4m (mean ± SEM, n = 4)
and a foraging territory of 2,082.5 ± 202.7m2 (mean± SEM, n = 4). Nevertheless, its
foraging activity was found to be affected by the presence of other ant species. This
could have delimitated its foraging distance and territory as observed in this study. The
foraging population could reach more than 2,000 for a mature colony of T. rufonigra.
Three insecticides namely indoxacarb, fipronil, and deltamethrin, which were tested
against T. rufonigra showed 70-98% reduction of foragers after 1 day post-treatment.
Almost complete reduction of foragers was achieved within three days for fipronil.
However, indoxacarb and deltamethrin were not effective to eliminate T. rufonigra
colonies. Although 70-80% reduction was observed after 1 day post-treatment, the
number of foragers increased at the following days.
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Keywords
Forest fire ant , Humenopera Formicidae