Impact of temperature on colony growth and developmental rates of the ant, Solenopsis invicta
Abstract
Growth rates of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, were studied across a range of constant temperatures. Growth in established colonies only occurred at rather warm temperatures: between 24 and 36°C, with maximal growth around 32°C. Colony growth ceased below 24°C even though 17°C was the theoretical minimum for brood development. Total developmental time (egg to adult) for minor worker brood decreased from 55 days at 24°C to 23 days at 35°C. The proportion of time required by each developmental stage (i.e. eggs, larvae, pupae) was independent of temperature. Nanitic brood developed about 35% faster than did minor worker brood, an important benefit for founding colonies. Data are still fragmentary, but it appears that temperature-adjusted development rates of ants and other social Hymenoptera are quite similar.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Insect Physiology
- Pub Date:
- January 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0022-1910(88)90215-6
- Bibcode:
- 1988JInsP..34.1127P
- Keywords:
-
- Temperature;
- colony growth;
- developmental rates;
- fire ant;
- Solenopsis invicta;
- social Hymenoptera