bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Origin and In Situ Identification of Uncultured Gut Bacteria in Fourth-Instar Larvae of the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Lee Albert H. , Hooper-Bui Linda
Published: May 2016

This study corroborated the findings of Lee et al. (2008) and relied on culture-independent techniques, particularly 16S rDNA sequencing. Results from the study demonstrated that ants in captivity completely change their gut bacterial diversity strongly supports the conclusion that fire ant gut bacteria are environmental in origin. Bacteria in the fourth-instar larvae were present because they were consumed with food sources. From molecular data, a differing list of bacteria from each colony with different branching and clustering among bacterial clades in the phylogenetic trees were found. Different bacterial diversity and evenness was found in all colonies, which provided evidence against the idea of the presence of obligate bactrial endosymbionts in Solenopis invicta guts. Obligate endosymbiont elimination through the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics did not significant affect ant mortality when compared to the untreated controls. This study did not find bacteriocytes in the midgut epithelium of fire ants. Microscopic observations did not locate any bacteriocytes in fourth-instar S. invicta larvae. All identified bacteria appeared to have been derived from the food or the environment. Though coadapted bacteria and specialized bacteriocytes were not found in the guts of fourth-instar larvae, such specialized organisms may be present elsewhere in the ant. Coadapted symbionts may exist in other parts of the larvae’s body or in other stages of development.
Remoción de Semillas en Hábitats Transformados: Pogonomyrmex barbatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) y Cinco Especies de Cactáceas del Centro de México
Authors: Ríos-Casanova Leticia , Godínez-Álvarez Héctor , Morales Gabriala Martínez
Published: May 2016

One of the main consequences of human activities in semiarid zones is the transformation of habitats. In this work we studied the effect of this transformation on seed removal of five cacti species by the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán valley, a semiarid zone in central Mexico. Seed removal was quantified at three sites which have been under the effect of human activities: an abandoned crop field (CCA), a site with evidence of current human activities (TAH), and a site inside a botanic garden ( JB). We hypothesized that sites which have been under intense human activities would have low rates of seed removal because they offer harsh conditions for harvester ants, reducing their foraging activity. Results showed that vegetation and surface soil characteristics of the sites studied are affecting the rates of seed removal of the five cacti species studied. The lowest seed removal rate was found at CCA, the most transformed site. In contrast with our hypothesis the highest seed removal was found at TAH, the site which represents the intermediate transformation condition, because this site still conserves some characteristics which permit intense foraging activity by harvester ants. We also found that the seed removal rate varied among the different cacti species studied. Seed of E. chiotilla had the highest removal rate, whereas O. decumbens had the lowest. Differences in seed removal rate could be associated with the high heterogeneity found in sites with intermediate levels of transformation. Another factor that must be considered is the external morphology of seeds since smaller seeds presented highest removal rates.
Hyenism in Ants: Non-Target Ants Profit From Polyergus rufescens Raids (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Pech Pavel
Published: May 2016

The presence of slavemaker ants alters the structure of the ant community. The influence of slavemakers on non-host ants is believed to be indirect, via changing competitive interactions among the ants. According to my observation Myrmica sabuleti (and probably also Lasius alienus) profited from a Polyergus rufescens raid against a Formica fusca nest. Both non-host species collected F. fusca corpses. These carcasses were used as food in the case of M. sabuleti at least. M. sabuleti profited substantially from the Polyergus raid because the dry biomass weight of the collected F. fusca carcasses was approximately half of the dry biomass weight of all M. sabuleti workers.
Effects of Honeydew of Phenacoccus solenopsis on Foliar Foraging by Solenopsis invcta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Xu Yi-Juan , Liang Guang Wen
Published: May 2016

The olfactory response of fire ants to plant leaves, mealybugs and the honeydew excreted by mealybugs was tested with a Y-tube olfactometer. The foraging activities of fire ants on three plants were also measured. Our results showed that plant leaves and mealybugs alone had no significant attraction to the fire ant workers, while fire ants could be obviously attracted by honeydew. The selection rate of fire ants on honeydew of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, cotton (Gossypium spp.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was 60.22%, 57.45% and 64.29% respectively. When mealybugs were present on plants, fire ant workers foraged more frequently on the plants than controls (P<0.05). As to different plants, fire ants preferred foraging on tomato (66.3 per plant) to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (50.4 per plant) and cotton (45.1 per plant). However, there was no significant difference in foraging frequency of fire ants on the three kinds of plant, with 24.9, 22.9 and 32.3 ants foraging per five minutes respectively.
Screening of Multiple Potential Control Genes for use in Caste and Body Region Comparisons Using RT-qPCR in Coptotermes formosanus
Authors: Tarver Matthew R , Mattison Christopher , Florane Christopher B , Hinchliffe Doug J , Zhang Dunhua , Lax Alan R
Published: May 2016

Formosan subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, are a significant worldwide pest. Molecular gene expression is an important tool for understanding the physiology of organisms. The recent advancement of molecular tools for Coptotermes formosanus is leading to the advancement of the understanding of termite physiology. One of the first steps in analyzing gene expression is the normalization to constant reference genes. Stable reference genes that have constant expression across multiple treatments are important for accurately comparing target genes' expression. The objective of this investigation was to analyze and validate a set of potential reference genes including 8SrRNA; Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gadphd); ribosomal protein L7 (RPL); β-actin (BA1); α-tubulin (Atube); α-actin (Aactin); and elongation factor (Elong) as standards for analysis of transcriptional changes in the termite Coptotermes formosanus, across two phenotypic castes, body regions, and colonies. We also compared the expression of hexamerin-1 and 2 using stable and unstable reference genes to demonstrate the importance of consistent control genes. Our results demonstrate that 18S and RPL can serve as reliable expression standards when comparing these different castes and body regions, and we show that C. formosanus Hex-1 and Hex-2 have expression patterns similar to that previously described in R. flavipes.
Population Divergence of Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Meliponina) in Two Restricted Areas in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Lima Júnior Cristovam Alves , Carvalho Carlos Alfredo Lopes , Nunes Lorena Andrade , Francoy Tiago Maurício
Published: May 2016

Melipona scutellaris Latreille has great economic and ecological importance, especially because it is a pollinator of native plant species. Despite the importance of this species, there is little information about the conservation status of their populations. The objective of this study was to assess the diversity in populations of M. scutellaris coming from a Semideciduous Forest Fragment and an Atlantic Forest Fragment in the Northeast Brazil, through geometric morphometric analysis of wings in worker bees. In each area, worker bees were collected from 10 colonies, 10 workers per colony. To assess the diversity on the right wings of worker bees, 15 landmarks were plotted and the measures were used in analysis of variance and multivariate analysis, principal component analysis, discriminant analysis and clustering analysis. There were significant differences in the shape of the wing venation patterns between colonies of two sites (Wilk’s λ = 0.000006; p < 0.000001), which is probably due to the geographical distance between places of origin which impedes the gene flow between them. It indicates that inter and intrapopulation morphometric variability exists (p <0.000001) in M. scutellaris coming from two different biomes, revealing the existence of diversity in these populations, which is necessary for the conservation of this bee species.
Molecular Marker to Identify Two Stingless Bee Species: Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Hymenoptera, Meliponinae)
Authors: Stuchi Ana Lúcia Paz Barateiro , Toledo Vagner De A. Arnaut de , Lopes Denise Alves , Cantagalli Liriana Belizário , Ruvolo-Takasusuki Maria Claudia Colla
Published: May 2016

Tetragonisca angustula and T. fiebrigi esterases were biochemically characterized by their inhibition pattern and thermostability. Workers of both species were collected from nests at the State University of Maringa. In T. fiebrigi three esterases were observed: EST-1 (β-esterase, cholinesterase I), EST-2 (α-esterase, cholinesterase II) and EST-4 (αβ-esterase, carboxylesterase). In T. angustula two esterases were detected: EST-3 (β-esterase, acetylesterase) e EST-4 (αβ-esterase, carboxylesterase). T. angustula EST-3 showed the highest thermostability, and it was not observed above 54°C, while in T. fiebrigi EST- 1 and EST-2 were not detected above 52°C. Through this characterization, it was observed that EST-4 of T. angustula and T. fiebrigi showed identical biochemical characteristics, and probably those esterases are encoded by the same gene in the two species. Together, the biochemical characterization and molecular markers show that the two species are differentiated and secondary contact between the populations can still be occurring.
Distribution of Resources Collected Among Individuals From Colonies of Mischocyttarus drewseni (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)
Authors: Locher Gabriela De Almeida , Silva Eliani Rodrigues , Togni Olga Coutinho , Giannotti Edilberto
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution pattern of the food collected among groups of individuals in Mischocyttarus drewseni colonies. This behavior is one of the first actions exhibited by the foragers when they arrive in the colonies. Regarding nectar and prey collection, 95.90% of the collected nectar was given to larvae, whereas 3.57% to dominant individuals and 95.94% of the collected prey were given to the larvae, 2.54% to the dominant members, while the remainder of both was given to the workers. Despite not being significant, it was possible to observe a difference in food distribution among larvae, with larger larvae receiving more food than others. When the forager returns to the nest with pulp, it adds this material to cells in 64.29% of the times. Males showed agitated behavior with the arrival of the foragers, and sometimes took the foraged material from them.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Eleven Soil Termiticides on the Formosan Subterranean Termite (Coptotermes formosanus)
Authors: Fujimoto Izumi , Enoki Akio , Itakura Shuji , Tanaka Hiromi
Published: May 2016

Using the tunneling test, the standard test method recommended by the JWPA ( JWPS-TS-S), the minimum effective concentrations of 11 chemicals, known as major soil termiticides in Japan, were determined. Addition of the emulsifying agent, Tween 80, to the low water solubility chemicals among the termiticides yielded a 2- to 8-fold increase in their termiticidal efficacies. In contrast, addition of Tween 80 to the high water solubility chemicals produced no such enhancement of their termiticidal efficacies. In the confined test, in the case of the repellent-type chemicals of the 11 chemicals, all the test termites (10 workers and 2 soldiers) became intoxicated or paralyzed and moribund within one hour of exposure to the minimum concentration fulfilling the criteria of the JWPA standard test method. In the case of non-repellent type chemicals, all the workers became moribund within 2 hours of exposure to the minimum concentrations fulfilling the criteria of the standard test method; in contrast, it took 4 – 24 hours before the soldier termites became moribund.
Biodiversity Management Under Limiting Conditions: Estimating Effective Population Size Using the Molecular Mark and Recapture (MMR) Method
Authors: Murase Kaori , Fukita Masaharu
Published: May 2016

Although many people have been paying attention to the decrease of biodiversity on earth in recent years, many local people, even staff of national parks, live under limiting conditions (such as a shortage of funds, specialists, literature, equipment for experiments and so on). To conserve biodiversity, it is important to be clear about which species decrease or increase. To find such information, it is quite important to know the dynamics of effective population size for each species. Although a large number of papers have been written about how to improve the precision of the estimated effective population size, little has been studied on how to estimate the dynamics of the effective population sizes for many species together under limiting situations, very similar to the management methods of national parks in countries which have biological hot spots. In this paper, we are not concerned with the improvement of the precision of the estimates. We do, however, propose a simple method for the estimation of the effective population size. We named it the “MMR method.” It is not difficult to understand and is easily applied to many species. To show the usefulness of the MMR method we made simple virtual species, which included the first generation and the second generation, on a computer, and then we conducted simulations to estimate the effective population size of the first generation. We calculated three statistics to estimate whether the MMR method is useful or not. The three statistics showed that the MMR method is useful.
Urban Termites of Recife, Northeast Brazil (Isoptera)
Authors: Albuquerque Auristela C. , Matias Gicela R. R. S. , Oliveira Marco A. P. , Couto Alane Ayana Vieira de Oliveira , Vasconcellos Alexandre
Published: May 2016

This study surveyed the termite fauna in urban properties of the city of Recife, state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Six-hundred properties were inspected in search for termites or signs of their activity, such as abandoned nests, galleries on walls, and fecal pellets. Seven termite species, belonging to seven genera and three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, and Termtidae) were found causing some type of damage. Nasutitermes corniger and Cryptotermes dudleyi were the most frequent species within buildings (82.4% and 9.5 %, respectively). Such species, along with Coptotermes gestroi, were responsible for the greatest damage recorded. With the exception of Cryptotermes dudleyi and Coptotermes gestroi, all of the species are native and relatively common in northeastern Brazil’s Atlantic forest.
Do Tunnel Patterns of Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Reflect Different Foraging Strategies?
Authors: Hapukotuwa Nirmala K. , Grace J. Kenneth
Published: May 2016

Tunnel network construction and time to food (wood) discovery by Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) (formerly known as Coptotermes vastator Light in the Pacific region) was examined when wood was present in a clumped distribution that mimics field conditions in the subtropical and temperate regions where C. formosanus naturally occurs. Previous research has noted that the tropical species C. gestroi constructs a highly branched tunnel network, while the subtropical C. formosanus constructs longer tunnels with few branches. Grace et al. (2004) hypothesized that this difference in tunneling behavior may relate to a more homogenous distribution of woody resources in the tropics vs. a disjunct and clumped distribution of fallen wood in the cooler subtropics. Thus, C. gestroi may exhibit a thorough search of the immediate area where wood is initially located, while it may be more energetically efficient for C. formosanus to tunnel greater distances in search of scattered resources. To test this hypothesis, we placed two wood resources at the opposite ends of laboratory foraging arenas, and released 1500 termites (1350 workers: 150 soldiers) into each arena. Arenas were observed every 24 hours for 14 days. We measured the total daily tunnel length, number of tunnels created in each quadrant of the arenas, and average time to discover food at both ends. Total daily tunnel length was relatively longer with C. formosanus and average time to discover food at either end was longer for C. gestroi. Although replication was limited in this study, these observations lend support to the hypothesis that C. formosanus is able to locate distant resources more efficiently than C. gestroi.
Comparison of Coptotermes formosanus and Coptotermes gestroi (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Field Sites and Seasonal Foraging Activity in Hawaii
Authors: Hapukotuwa Nirmala K , Grace J. Kenneth
Published: May 2016

Field surveys were carried out from January 2010 to June 2011 to record the environmental properties of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki and C. gestroi (Wasmann) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) field sites on the island of Oahu, Hawaii; and to document seasonal patterns in C. formosanus and C. gestroi foraging activity. The two field sites selected differed in elevation, soil characteristics, vegetation, and mean temperature and humidity patterns. The C. formosanus colony was located on the Manoa campus of the University of Hawaii, near Miller Hall; while the C. gestroi colony was located 40 km away at the Barber’s Point Horse Stables in Kalaeloa, Oahu (formerly Barber’s Point Naval Housing). Mean temperature and humidity were recorded monthly at each field site using a Hobo® data logger (1000-1100h), soil samples were taken from each site and analyzed for physical properties, and vegetation type/s were observed, photographed, and samples brought to laboratory for identification. During each site visit, the number of active termite collection traps (termites present) out of a total of 22 traps per site were counted. The C. gestroi field site was generally warmer than that of C. formosanus. Both termite species exhibited irregular activity throughout the year, although C. formosanus was more active in general during cooler months (winter) than C. gestroi; while C. gestroi was generally more active during late spring and summer months. These results, as well as introduction histories, may help to explain C. gestroi distribution patterns in Hawaii.
Thermal Tolerances of Three Tramp Ant Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Solis Daniel Russ , Bueno Odair Correa
Published: May 2016

Tramp ant species present a set of adaptations to their urban habitats, and there is a paucity of knowledge about how they interact with abiotic factors, like temperature. Temperature is well known to interfere with insect activity. The present study evaluated the temperature tolerance of three important tramp ant species: Monomorium floricola ( Jerdon), Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus) and Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander). Tested temperatures were 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50.C. Ten repetitions with 20 workers each were done with each temperature and analyzed species. The number of dead workers was recorded every hour over a total of 8 hours. All procedures were done using thermal incubators at relative humidity within 50-95%. Workers of M. pharaonis proved more tolerant to high temperatures (30-50.C) than workers of M. floricola and T. bicarinatum. The higher the temperatures tested, greater was the recorded ant mortality, with temperature 50.C being fatal to all species after 1h of exposition. The least tolerant species to temperatures below 20.C was T. bicarinatum. Low temperatures tested were not fatal to any of the tested species.
Genetic Divergence of Turkish Apis mellifera Subspecies Based on Sequencing of ND5 Mitochondrial Segment
Authors: Ozdil Fulya , İIlhan Fatma
Published: May 2016

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation can be used to infer honey bee evolutionary relationships. In this study, DNA sequence diversity in the ND5 region of the mitochondrial genome was investigated in 93 samples of Apis mellifera from 15 different populations in Turkey. Five novel haplotypes were revealed for the ND5 gene segment of Turkish honeybees. The number of variable sites found was 6 for this region while 2 were parsimony informative sites. The average pairwise genetic distances were 0.3% for ND5 gene. In this study, the NJ tree of ND5 gene segment were constructed with the published sequences of Apis mellifera haplotypes. This study expands the knowledge about the mitochondrial ND5 region in Apis mellifera and it is also the first comprehensive sequencing analysis of ND5 region in Turkish honeybees.
Nest Structure of the Neotropical Social Wasp Mischocyttarus baconi (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: Scobie Andrea A. , Starr Christopher K
Published: May 2016

The uncovered, single-comb nests of Mischocyttarus baconi Starr have short, stout, centric petioles. We describe nest size, cell size, petiole dimensions, and the position of the petiole. In a sample of 91 nests, the comb comprised up to 198 cells. Cells had a mean side-to-side diameter at the mouth of 3.4 mm. The petiole had a mean length of 2.9 and a modal width of 2.0 mm. The degree of excentricity was determined for a sample of nests of at least 20 cells. As expected, those attached to vertical substrates (wall nests) showed greater excentricity than those attached to horizontal substrates (ceiling nests).
Structure-Invading Pest Ants in Healthcare Facilities in Singapore
Authors: Man Lai-Sum , Lee Chow-Yang
Published: May 2016

A survey of structure-invading pest ants was conducted at 17 healthcare facilities (HFs) in Singapore using the index card method. A total of 18 species (Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. Smith), Meranoplus sp., Monomorium destructor ( Jerdon), Monomorium floricola ( Jerdon), Monomorium pharaonis (L.), Monomorium sp., Odontomachus sp., Oecophylla smaragdina (F.), Pachycondyla sp., Paratrechina bourbonica (Forel), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille), Paratrechina pubens (Forel), Pheidole megacephala (F.), Pheidole parva (Mayr), Pheidole sp., Tapinoma indicum (Forel), Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.) andTetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander)) were trapped. Of these, the most common species were P. parva (25.9%), P. megacephala (25.2%), P. longicornis (14.1%), M. pharaonis (9.6%), and T. indicum (8.1%). Most of these ant species were found in and around the premises.
Relationship Between Hygienic Behavior and Varroa destructor Mites in Colonies Producing Honey or Royal Jelly
Authors: Ruvolo-Takasusuki Maria Claudia Colla , Toledo Vagner Alencar , Lopes Denise Alves
Published: May 2016

Genetic and phenotypic parameters for hygienic behavior, invasion and infestation rates, total and effective reproduction of Varroa destructor in Africanized honeybee colonies producing honey (20 hives) or royal jelly (30 mini-hives) were analyzed. The significance of monthly fixed effects, type of product (honey and royal jelly) and their interactions were verified through generalized linear model procedures. Software WinBugs (Bayesian Inference Using Gibbs Sampling) with Bayesian inference was employed for (co)variance estimates. The average values for colonies producing honey or royal jelly were 74.38 and 71.40% for hygienic behavior in 24 hours; infestation rates 8.30 and 11.40%; invasion rates 9.50 and 7.50%; total reproduction 1.02 and 0.55%; effective reproduction was 0.62 and 0.33%, respectively. The additive genetic variance for invasion (0.16), total reproduction (0.25) and effective reproduction (0.94) rates of the mite were higher than estimates for hygienic behavior in 24 hours (0.05) and infestation rate (0.04). Mean heritability for hygienic behavior, infestation and invasion rates, total and effective reproduction of the mite were .58, 0.54, 0.56, 0.63 and 0.61, respectively. The genetic correlation of -0.48 for hygienic behavior with total reproduction rate of Varroa destructor shows that hygienic behavior may be the most interesting trait for selection. Besides a heritability of high magnitude, when combined with the total reproduction rate of the mite, it has a high and antagonistic correlation. Consequently, in cases of high infestation of Varroa destructor, the selection for hygienic behavior would decrease the reproduction rate of the mite.
Effects of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the Species Structure of Ant Communities in South China
Authors: Lu Yong Yue , Wu Bi-qiu , Xu Yi-Juan , Zeng Ling
Published: May 2016

We evaluated the effects of invasive red imported fire ants (RIFAs), Solenopsis invicta Buren, on native ant communities at three habitats in South China. By using paired control and treatment plots, the change in diversity and community structure of native ants due to the invasion of red imported fire ants could be observed. Ant species richness was reduced by 46 and 33% at RIFA-infested lawn and pasture habitats, respectively; however, the ant species richness in the lichee orchard was not affected by red imported fire ants. Our results indicated that red imported fire ants became one of several dominant species or the only dominant species in all three habitats in South China.
Decayed Wood Affecting the Attraction of the Pest Arboretum Termite Nasutitermes corniger (Isoptera: Termitidae) to Resource Foods
Authors: Gazal Vinicius , Bailez Omar , Viana-Bailez Ana Maria , Menezes Elen De Lima Aguiar , Menezes Euripedes Barsanulfo
Published: May 2016

Nasutitermes corniger shows preferential feeding for the wood of different tree species, but it is not known whether attractiveness is a function of the state of decay. This study examined the foraging behavior of N. corniger towards wood in different stages of decay. Wood was exposed to weather for durations of 0, 3, 6 or 9 months. Then the wood was placed in a standard foraging arena with termites. Exploration and recruitment behavior were recorded for 1 h. Separate bioassays were conducted for three species: Pinus elliottii, Eucalyptus grandis and Manilkara huberi. In the tests with P. elliottii and E. grandis, more individuals were recruited to wood decayed for 6 months  (191 and 185, respectively) than to undecayed wood (12 and 69, respectively). Similarly, more individuals were recruited to decayed M. huberi wood than undecayed, but only after 9 months (249 and 7, respectively). Decayed wood has therefore been demonstrated to be more attractive to N. corniger than undecayed wood. The different decomposition rates necessary to increase attractiveness may be explained by differences in wood density.
Techniques for the In Vitro Production of Queens in Stingless Bees (Apidae, Meliponini)
Authors: Baptistella Ana Rita , Souza Camila C. M. , Santana Weyder Cristiano , Soares Ademilson Espencer Egea
Published: May 2016

Considering the ecological importance of stingless bees as caretakers and pollinators of a variety of native plants makes it necessary to improve techniques which increase of colonies’ number in order to preserve these species and the biodiversity associated with them. Thus, our aim was to develop a methodology of in vitro production of stingless bee queens by offering a large quantity of food to the larvae. Our methodology consisted of determining the amount of larval food needed for the development of the queens, collecting and storing the larval food, and feeding the food to the larvae in acrylic plates. We found that the total average amount of larval food in a worker bee cell of F. varia is approximately 26.70 } 3.55 μL. We observed that after the consumption of extra amounts of food (25, 30, 35 and 40 μL) the larvae differentiate into queens (n = 98). Therefore, the average total volume of food needed for the differentiation of a young larva of F. varia queen is approximately 61.70 } 5.00 μL. In other words; the larvae destined to become queens eat 2.31 times more food than the ones destined to become workers. We used the species Frieseomelitta varia as a model, however the methodology can be reproduced for all species of stingless bees whose mechanism of caste differentiation depends on the amount of food ingested by the larvae. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the in vitro technique developed herein, pointing to the possibility of its use as a tool to assist the production of queens on a large scale. This would allow for the artificial splitting of colonies and contribute to conservation efforts in native bees.
Botanical Preferences of Africanized Bees (Apis mellifera) on the Coast and in the Atlantic Forest of Sergipe, Brazil
Authors: Poderoso Julio Cesar Melo , Oliveira Maria Emilene Correia de , Silva e Souza Tácito Moreira da , Paz Luan Carlos da , Ribeiro Genésio Tâmara
Published: May 2016

Pollen analysis in honey can be used as an alternative method to researchinto flowers visited by bees in an area. This study aimed to indentify the mainfloral families in honey from apiaries in the Atlantic Forest and Sergipe statecoast. Honey samples from these apiaries were studied, as well as plants thatgrow around them, which can be used as a source of foraging for bees. Thepalynological technique was used to compare the pollen content of honeysamples with the pollen grains from leaves of plants found in the vicinityof the apiaries to assess whether they had been visited by bees. The resultsof studies in both sites were similar in terms of incompatibility of familiesfound in the apiary vicinity and honey. Thus, it was possible to observe thatin honey samples from the coast and in the remaining Atlantic forest, thenumber of families was greater than the number of families found in theapiary vicinity, which highlights the diversity of plants visited by bees and apossible expansion of the visited area for food search. This diversity suggestsan adaptive foraging behavior to plant resources available in the environment,which may facilitate the pollination of these botanical families andconsequently improve their genetic quality.
Two New Species of Stenamma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Indian Himalaya With a Revised Key to the Palaearctic and Oriental Species
Authors: Bharti Himender , Gul Irfan , Sharma Yash Paul
Published: May 2016

Two new species of genus Stenamma viz Stenamma wilsoni sp. nov. and Stenamma jhitingriense sp. nov. are described from Indian Himalaya. This adds two more species to the genus from Indian Himalaya, with only Stenamma kashmirense Baroni Urbani, 1977 described earlier. A revised key to 26 species from Palaearctic and Oriental is provided here with.
Gaoligongidris planodorsa, a New Genus and Species of the Ant Subfamily Myrmicinae from China with a Key to the Genera of Stenammini of the World (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Xu Zheng-Hui
Published: May 2016

A new genus and species of the ant subfamily Myrmicinae collected from the Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve of the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China, is described. The new genus, Gaoligongidris gen. nov., is close to Lasiomyrma Terayama & Yamane, but with anterior clypeal margin not angled, metanotal groove deeply impressed, propodeal spiracles large, propodeal spines long and slender, and petiolar peduncle longer than the node. The new genus is distributed in the Oriental region and belongs to the tribe Stenammini of Myrmicinae. A key to the known genera of Stenammini of the world based on worker and queen castes is provided.
Aspartame-based Sweetener as a Strong Ant Poison: Falsifying an Urban Legend?
Authors: Sorvari Jouni , Haatanen Marja-Katariina
Published: May 2016

Information about the usability of artificial sweeteners, mainly aspartame, for controlling pest ants has spread widely in the internet. With a laboratory experiment we tested the effect of an aspartame based sweetener on the mortality of the black garden ant Lasius niger, a common pest ant in kitchens in Europe. The aspartame-based sweetener was added to the laboratory jelly food of ants in the experimental group (16 colonies). The control group (14 colonies) received otherwise similar jelly but without the aspartame-based sweetener. During the 35 day period of experiment we did not find any signs of aspartame induced mortality in tested ants. In addition, 135 colony founding L. niger queens were submerged in a sweetener solution (artificial sweetener + distilled water) and 135 queens were submerged in distilled water (control). The overall mortality was very low (<1.5%) and no between-group differences in mortality were found within 24 and 96 hours. Our results strongly oppose the rumors that aspartame sweeteners are effective as an ant poison, at least with a typical dose of household aspartame products.
Temperature Influence on Species Co-Occurrence Patterns in Treefall Gap and Dense Forest Ant Communities in a Terra- Firme Forest of Central Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Dáttilo Wesley , Izzo Thiago Junqueira
Published: May 2016

In this study we evaluated the influence of temperature and species co-occurrence on the structure of an ant community of treefall gaps and surrounding dense forests in a terra-firme forest of Central Amazon, Brazil. For this, we collected ants at different hours, and at the time of each collection we measured the temperature of the environment. Even with the difference in the temperature variation and variation throughout the day, there was no difference in the richness and abundance of ants among the environments. Also, the ant species are distributed randomly and independently of one another in both studied environments in accordance with a null model (C-score). However, although not influenced by temperature, the ant composition of treefall gaps was different from the ant community of the surrounding dense forest. Possibly the composition and ant foraging in environments of treefall gaps and surrounding dense forests are not only influenced by temperature, but also by the interaction of this factor with the structural complexity of vegetation in terms of sites available for nesting and feeding, and other microclimatic factors. This generates a difference in ant composition of both environments. In addition, the structuring of ant community in tropical rain forests may actually be stochastic or neutral within each environment.
Analysis of Mortality in Africanized Honey Bee Colonies with High Levels of Infestation by Varroa destructor
Authors: Mattos Igor Médici , Chaud-Neto José
Published: May 2016

The mite Varroa destructor (Anderson & Treuman 2000) is one of the world’s most important plagues of apiculture. In Brazil this mite does not encounter good conditions for parasitism because weather conditions are not ideal for its maintenance, and some strains of Africanized honey bees are resistant to the parasite. This status is reflected in the low number of dead colonies caused by varroatosis and also the stability of infestation levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the damage caused by mite infestations in hives with higher levels of infestation than the ones considered normal for Brazilian apiaries. The level of infestation in each colony was determined and the mortality rates of parasitized bees during development were periodically recorded. The G Test of Independence and a Test of Proportions were used to compare the data. The rates of mortality of pupae and larvae were mostly proportional to the level of infestation in each colony. All colonies showed mortality rates significantly higher than the control one. In Africanized honeybee colonies with high rates of infestation by Varroa destructor mortality rates varied from 19.27% to 23.28% in pupae ( X = 21.27%) and from 15.71% to 16.15% in larvae ( X = 15.93%), against 3.85% and 3.74% in the control colony, respectively. In the parasitized colonies the average rates of mortality caused by the hurtful effects of the mite were, respectively, 5.52 and 4.26 times greater in those two developmental stages. Thus it can be concluded that even in tropical regions, like Brazil, it is necessary to give special attention to the levels of mite infestation (IR), particularly where the IR tends to be higher.
Influence of Pollen on the Development of Africanized Bee Colonies (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Modro Anna Frida Hatsue , Marchini Luis Carlos , Moreti Augusta Carolina De Camargo Carmello , Maia Emanuel
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to assess the importance of quality and quantity of pollen on the development of colonies in different seasons. The field experiment was conducted at the Apiary of the Department of Entomology and Acarology of Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, using five beehives of A. mellifera. In order to characterize the quality of pollen, researchers considered measures of total dry mass (g) and the physical-chemical and pollen composition of pollen load and bee bread samples. The development of hives was assessed according to the area covered by pollen, honey, and brood population in the hive (cm²), as well as fluctuating asymmetry of worker bee wings. Spearman’s correlation was calculated among the assessed parameters. The value of ether extract of pollen loads was the only component that was related to the development of hives, its value increased as the area occupied by pollen in the hive decreased (-0.3200*), and as the difference of the number of hamuli of right and left hind wings increased (0.3317*). There was a positive relationship between the wealth (0.3150*) and evenness (0.3019*) of pollen composition and the size of brood population inside the hive. It was concluded that the development of the colony, mainly considering the area occupied by brood, is more successful with increased quantity, wealth, and evenness of collected pollen.
Trigona branneri (Hymenoptera: Apidae) as a Collector of Honeydew from Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) on Bauhinia forficata (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae) in a Brazilian Savanna
Authors: Baronio Gudryan , Pires Ana Carolina Vieira , Aoki Camila
Published: May 2016

The presence of aggregates of A. reticulatum on Bauhinia has been reported, but the insects were mainly attended by ants of the genus Camponotus, and stingless bees were not regularly recorded in aggregations. We observed a colony of thetreehopper A. reticulatum and stingless bees, Trigona branneri, interacting on Bauhinia forficata (Fabaceae). Agonistic behavior was observed in bees when another individual of the same species or ants approached. Although this is not proof that the interaction between stingless bees and treehoppers is mutualistic, the interactions between ants and this insect are common and mutualistic. Thus, if T. branneri effectively provides protection for the aphids, a new mutualism can be the focus of future research to determine if the bee-aphid interactions have same ecological functions as the ant-aphid interactions.
A New Case of Ants Nesting within Branches of a Fig Tree: the Case of Ficus subpisocarpa in Taiwan
Authors: Bain Anthony , Chantarasuwan Bhanumas , Shou Lieng-Siang , McKey Martine Hossaert , Schatz Bertrand , Kjellberg Finn
Published: May 2016

Ficus is one of many plant genera involved in interactions with ants. The interaction is however little documented. We show here that ants, belonging mainly to the genus Crematogaster, nest in hollow internodes of young branches of Ficus subpisocarpa, a monoecious fig species studied in Taiwan. The ants feed on the mutualistic fig-pollinating wasps as well as on parasitic non-pollinating fig wasps. Nevertheless fig-wasps may not constitute a sufficient food source to ensure permanent presence of ants on the tree as the ants were observed to be frequently associated with hemipterans such as coccids and aphids. Fig wasps seem to constitute a reliable and sufficient food source on some dioecious Ficus species. On the contrary, in monoecious Ficus species, resident ants have always been observed to tend homopteran in addition to feeding on fig wasps. Frequent fruiting, prolonged fruit ripening period, ramiflory and rapid growth could constitute traits facilitating strong association based on fig-wasps' consumption of the monoecious F. subpisocarpa with ants. Despite these traits, ants were observed to tend hemipterans, and F. subpisocarpa does not seem to have evolved specialized morphological traits to facilitate the association.
How Do Scale Insects Settle into the Nests of Plant-Ants on Macaranga Myrmecophytes? Dispersal by Wind and Selection by Plant-Ants
Authors: Handa Chihiro
Published: May 2016

This report elucidates the process of settlement by Coccus scale insects into Crematogaster plant-ant nests formed inside the hollow stems of a myrmecophytic species, Macaranga bancana, in a tropical rain forest. We collected wafting scale insect nymphs from the canopy using sticky traps and characterized the DNA sequence of the trapped nymphs. In addition, we experimentally introduced first-instar nymphs of both symbiotic and nonsymbiotic scale insects to M. bancana seedlings with newly formed plant-ant colonies. Nymphs of symbiotic species were generally carried by ants into their nests within a few minutes of introduction. Most nymphs of nonsymbiotic species were thrown to the ground by ants. Our results suggest that in Crematogaster–Macaranga myrmecophytism, symbiotic coccids disperse by wind onto host plant seedlings at the nymphal stage, and plant-ants actively carry the nymphs landing on seedlings into their nests in discrimination from nonsymbiotic scale insects.
Nutritional and Temporal Effects on Hypopharyngeal Glands of Africanized Honeybees (Hymenoptera – Apidae)
Authors: Pinto Fábio De Assis
Published: May 2016

The hypopharyngeal gland (HG), along with the mandibular gland from Apis mellifera workers plays a fundamental role on the development of the hive. The protein based substances produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands are two important component of the royal jelly, which is responsible for caste differentiation and used to feed larvae, drones and the queen. Several factors may alter the physiology of glandular structures in honeybees and consequently their role within the beehive, and one of the most important factors is their nutritional status. However, few studies have evaluated the development of HG against different diets on Africanized honeybees. Our experiment was composed of four diets (treatments) offered to different groups of workers: (T1) honey, (T2) honey + soybean extract, (T3) honey + pollen and (T4) sucrose solution. The development of the glands was evaluated in two periods: 7 and 10 days of exposure to the diet types. According to the results, an interference of the diet on the acini area of the HG was observed. Bees that were fed with the sucrose solution or soybean extract presented the smallest acini areas as compared to the other treatments. The time of exposure to the different types of diets also had an effect on acini areas. Worker bees fed with honey and soybean extract for 10 days presented smaller acini areas when compared to bees dissected at the 7th day of exposure to those same diet types. Nevertheless, we also observed that factors other than just nutrition are important to the full development of the HG, such as the stimulus promoted by the young breeds.
Nidification of Polybia platycephala and Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) on Plants of Musa spp. In Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Zanuncio José Cola , Serrão J E
Published: May 2016

Social wasps are natural enemies of caterpillars and, therefore, they have potential to control insect pests in various crops. Three colonies of Polybia platycephala (Richards) and one of Polistes versicolor (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) were found on plants of banana (Musa spp.) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. These colonies were at 3.50 m high, under the leaves, which provide shelter from environmental stress.
Aggregation Behavior in Spiderlings: a Strategy for Increasing Life Expectancy in Latrodectus geometricus (Araneae: Theridiidae)
Authors: Antonialli-Junior William Fernando , Guimarães Ingrid
Published: May 2016

Studies on the biology of Latrodectus geometricus are scarce, especially on the behavior and life expectancy of the species. In this study we investigated the importance of the aggregation behavior of juveniles on life expectancy and longevity of the species. Egg sacs were collected in the urban area of Dourados- MS and transferred to the laboratory. The spiderlings hatched were separated into two groups: spiderlings aggregated and isolated, kept in the presence of luminosity. The same tests were run with egg sacs deprived of luminosity. A calculation of entropy was performed for all cases. Individuals grouped held under light exposure showed 14.3 days of life expectancy and 46 maximum longevity and 14.8 days of life expectancy and 32 days of longevity when isolated. For individuals grouped and deprived of light life expectancy was 29.8 days and maximum longevity 85 days and 19.3 days of life expectancy and 26 days of maximum longevity when isolated. The entropy of individuals kept in the presence of light, when grouped was H=0.692 and when isolated H=0.377. For individuals deprived of light, the entropy was H = 0.628 when kept grouped and H = 0.143 when isolated. Therefore it is concluded that the aggregation behavior and luminosity influence the longevity and life expectancy of spiderlings. Cannibalism must be a strategy to acquire food reserves contributing to the survival of a small number of individuals.
Furcotanilla, a New Genus of the Ant Subfamily Leptanillinae from China with Descriptions of Two New Species of Protanilla and P. rafflesi Taylor (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Xu Zheng-Hui
Published: May 2016

A new genus of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae, Furcotanilla gen. nov., discovered in southwestern China is described. The new genus is distributed in the Oriental region and belongs to the tribe Anomalomyrmini of Leptanillinae. A key to the 4 known genera of Leptanillinae of the world based on the worker caste is provided. Two new species of Protanilla collected from southwestern China, P. gengma sp. nov. and P. tibeta sp. nov., are described. The type-species of Protanilla, P. rafflesi Taylor, is also described based on the AntWeb images. A key to the 7 known species of Protanilla of the world based on worker and queen castes is prepared.
Field Activity of Reticulitermes grassei (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) in Oak Forests of the Southern Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Cardenas Ana M , Moyano Lourdes , Gallardo Patricia , Hidalgo Juan M.
Published: May 2016

This paper presents preliminary data on the field activity of Reticulitermes grassei Clément in oak forests of the southern Iberian Peninsula. Recent research has provided information on the nature and intensity of termite damage to cork oaks (Quercus suber, L.) in northern Andalusia (Spain). Taking that information into account, the present study sought to determine annual field activity pattern in R. grassei, with a view to identifying more precisely the best time for applying control techniques. Data were obtained from field monitoring experiments conducted over a complete one-year cycle using termite-specific baited traps. Results for relative termite numbers at different periods indicated that forest activity was most intense in mid-summer, whilst the surface foraging area was greatest from late summer to early fall, peaking after the first autumnal rains. The findings of this study may help to enhance the efficacy of termite bait treatments in natural environments, since baits decay and lose effectiveness over time, and are also dispersed by the termites themselves. Accurate information on peak termite activity periods would enable products to be applied in most favorable timing, thus optimizing the results of treatment.