The Flight Activities of Dolichoderus (Hypoclinea) Taschenbergi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Nuptial flights were observed at a nest on the Edwin S. George Reserve, Livingston County, Michigan, between June 17 and July 28, 1957; they took place daily except when inclement weather occurred during the flight period. Flights occurred between approximately 20 minutes before sunrise and 4 hours after sunrise; at temperatures of 58° F. or higher; at low wind velocities; at high relative humidities (80%–99%); and under various sky conditions. The time of the morning of the emergence of the alates from the nest and of the beginning of flights was influenced by the temperature. The alates flew from the vegetation near the nest. Prior to flight each alate usually fluttered its wings while holding on to the vegetation; it became airborne by releasing its hold while fluttering. The alates usually flew toward open areas at angles of 30° to 60° from the horizontal; their flight speed varied from 2 to 5 feet per second. Flights were moderate in size, usually comprising 300–400 alates. The daily flight duration averaged 66 minutes. After the day's flight was over, a small number of alates came out of the nest and paraded over the nest surface. This behavior occurred throughout the day and, on warm evenings, during the night. These flights are compared to those of the closely related species, D. mariae.