Distribution and Natural History of the Workerless Inquiline AntPogonomyrmex Anergismus Cole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Robert A Johnson

doi:10.1155/1994/73940

Abstract

Seven colonies of the rare inquiline Pogonomyrmex anergismus Cole were located in New Mexico, two in Hidalgo County, and five in Grant County; P. rugosus was the host for each. Mating flights follow late summer rains. Males mated with colony‐mates, mostly inside the nest, and then returned to the nest, Pogonomyrmex anergismus may parasitize host nests over multiple years, with presence of host female alates confirming that the host gyne is not killed. Observations suggest this may be a polygynous species.

Highlights

Pogonomyrmex anergismus Cole is one of two inquiline species known in its genus (Snelling 1981, Rissing 1983)
This paper presents additional location records and observations on natural history of P. anergismus
Pogonomyrmex anergismus appears to be very rare, as only seven of more than several hundred host colonies were parasitized at each of two sites. This is the first record of host female alates in parasitized nests; their presence in the second year of observations confirms that host gynes survive invasion by P. anergismus

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Pogonomyrmex anergismus Cole is one of two inquiline species known in its genus (Snelling 1981, Rissing 1983). The colonies in Hidalgo County were located while digging for P. rugosus alates, which typically inhabit the uppermost nest chambers during early morning; individuals of P. anergismus were found in these chambers intermixed with host alates. Mating flights of P. colei Snelling, the other Pogonomyrmex inquiline, and most species in the genus follow summer rains (H611dobler 1976, Rissing 1983, Johnson et al, in review), suggesting that P. anergismus may respond to the same environmental trigger. A heavy rain occurred on August 9 and the same colony was observed intermittently the afternoon; host alates again flew from the colony, but no individuals of P. anergismus emerged from the entrance. Few males were observed outside the nest, and females often left the nest and flew without contacting males, which suggest that most mating occurs inside the nest.

DISCUSSION

LITERATURE CITED