Colony Structure of the Weaver Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • Marcela Pimid School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia
  • Abu Hassan Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Nurita Abu Tahir Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Kumara Thevan Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i1.662

Keywords:

Oecophylla smaragdina, nests, caste, colony structure

Abstract

The colony structure of Oecophylla smaragdina within the compound of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang Island, Malaysia was determined. The current study involved a total of twelve nests which were taken from two different locations. Each nest was dissected and the specimens were separated according to their caste. Results show that the colony structure of O. smaragdina consisted of a dealate queen, eggs, larvae of female alates, pupae of major and minor workers, pupae of female alates, major workers, minor workers, female alates and male alates. Our present study shows that O. smaragdina had a distinct caste system and the numbers of individuals in each caste reflect their respective functions which contributed to the success of their colony.

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Published

2014-10-20

How to Cite

Pimid, M., Hassan, A., Tahir, N. A., & Thevan, K. (2014). Colony Structure of the Weaver Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 59(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v59i1.662

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