Nuptial flights behavior of the African weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and weather factors triggering flights

Abstract

Weaver ants (Oecophylla spp.) are intensively studied in basic and applied contexts. Yet, little is known about their mating behavior. Knowledge on their reproductive strategy is a prerequisite to the basic understanding of their life history and may provide valuable information facilitating their use in integrated pest management (IPM) and protein production (entomophagy). Here, we report on the behavior displayed by O. longinoda in relation with their nuptial flights in Tanzania and test for environmental cues that may trigger the flights. Based on observations of 56 flights recorded over 2 years, we found that sexuals aggregate on nest surfaces prior to flights. We also found that flights took place during the raining season, and all flights took place in evenings just before sunset. Further to these, days with flights were associated with higher relative humidity and less sun shine compared to days without flights. Also, flights mainly took place around full moons. However, this correlation was based on a total of only five full moon phases and should, therefore, be interpreted with caution. The results also showed that flights were only significantly correlated with weather parameters during the early part of the mating season, the trend changed thereafter probably due to depletion of sexuals in the nests as the season progressed. This information improves our understanding of ant nuptial flights and offers a tool to improve forecasts of O. longinoda flights, enabling easier collection of mated queens to stock ant nurseries that supply ant colonies for IPM-programs.