Ant Camponotus Research Articles

Two new species of the ant-like spider genus Fluda Peckham & Peckham, 1892 from Bolivia with first reports of potential ant models for the genus and a novel ant-resembling behavior (Araneae: Salticidae, Simonellini)

In this work, the results of a survey for species of Fluda Peckham & Peckham, 1892 in primary forest in five Bolivian forest ecoregions are reported. Fluda dauca sp. nov. is described from Southwest Amazon forest and F. thuruampara sp. nov. from Bolivian Yungas forest. Fluda perdita (Peckham & Peckham, 1892) is reported from Bolivia for the first time. Both new species exhibited polymorphic mimicry; dark females of both species resembled the turtle ant Cephalotes pusillus (Klug, 1824) and dark males of F. thuruampara sp. nov. the carpenter ant Camponotus sanctaefidei Dalla Torre, 1892. Orange males and females of F. dauca sp. nov. are likely mimics of Camponotus latangulus Roger, 1863. Males of Fluda may compensate lower mimetic accuracy by the broadened femora I, resembling an ant head in lateral view and ant mandibles when moving the face towards a potential threat. As in other Simonellini, the turnover of Fluda species between the South American superregions suggests that significant shifts in seasonality and related conditions are major factors triggering speciation in the tribe Simonellini.

Rest of the carpenter ant Camponotus compressus undergoes a drastic change after mating

Rest of the carpenter ant Camponotus compressus undergoes a drastic change after mating

Systematic revision of the Ogyris idmo (Hewitson, 1862) species group (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): implications for the conservation management of Australia’s most threatened butterflies

Lycaenid butterflies of the Ogyris idmo species group are endemic to Australia and obligatorily associated with Camponotus ants. Several species are threatened with extinction, but there are considerable uncertainties with the present classification. Here, the taxonomy of the species group is revised based on molecular and morphological data. Mitochondrial sequence data were obtained from GenBank for Ogyris Angas, 1847, from cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome b (cytb) (total of 1203 bp), and a phylogeny of the genus was reconstructed using Maximum Likelihood methods. Based on these molecular data, adult morphology and other evidence, the following eight taxa are recognised in this species group: Ogyris otanes (C. & R. Felder, 1865), Ogyris arcana M.R. Williams & Hay, 2001 stat. rev., Ogyris arcana arcana M.R. Williams & Hay, 2001 comb. nov., Ogyris arcana sublustris M.R. Williams & Hay, 2001 comb. nov., Ogyris halmaturia (Tepper, 1890), Ogyris halmaturia halmaturia (Tepper, 1890), Ogyris halmaturia waterhouseri (Bethune-Baker, 1905) stat. rev., Ogyris idmo (Hewitson, 1862), Ogyris subterrestris Field, 1999 and Ogyris petrina Field, 1999 stat. rev. The female of Ogyris halmaturia halmaturia is described for the first time. Phylogenetic relationships among the six species are as follows: (O. otanes + O. arcana) + (O. halmaturia + (O. idmo + (O. subterrestris + O. petrina))). The life history switch from phytophagy (O. otanes and O. arcana) to entomophagy (suspected myrmecophagy) within this species group has led to diversification of four species, a most unusual evolutionary pattern within the Lycaenidae globally. The taxonomic changes proposed herein affect some of the most threatened Australian butterflies and their conservation status is discussed. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B9A6F558-DD47-47DF-AC9C-A71270B6EE09

Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani.

During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani. Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces, each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macromorphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae, suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses. Citation: Araújo JPM, Lebert BM, Vermeulen S, et al. 2022. Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean general, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani. Persoonia 49: 171-194. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2022.49.05.

Two new ant-mimicking spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Costa Rica

During a recent investigation of ant-mimicking arthropods in Costa Rica, two new species of salticid spiders were discovered. Here, I provide descriptions of the two species, Myrmapana costaricaensis sp. nov. and Corcovetella galianoae sp. nov. The former species has two forms; the dark form resembles Neoponera ants, while the light form resembles Pseudomyrmex ants. Corcovetella galianoae resembles Camponotus ants.

Microstructures at the distal tip of ant chemosensory sensilla

Ants and other eusocial insects emit and receive chemical signals to communicate important information within the colony. In ants, nestmate recognition, task allocation, and reproductive distribution of labor are largely mediated through the detection of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) that cover the exoskeleton. With their large size and limited volatility, these CHCs are believed to be primarily detected through direct contact with the antennae during behavioral interactions. Here we first use scanning electron microscopy to investigate the unique morphological features of CHC-sensitive basiconic sensilla of two ant species, the black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus and the Indian jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. These basiconic sensilla possess an abundance of small pores typical of most insect olfactory sensilla, but also have a large concave depression at the terminal end. Basiconic sensilla are enriched at the distal segments of the antennae in both species, which aligns with their proposed role in contact chemosensation of CHCs. A survey of these sensilla across additional ant species shows varied microstructures at their tips, but each possess surface textures that would also increase sensory surface area. These unique ant chemosensory sensilla represent yet another example of how specialized structures have evolved to serve the functional requirements of eusocial communication.

Protective Benefits of Tending Ants to a Critically Endangered Butterfly.

Ants provide protection to various organisms via myrmecophilous relationships. Most notably, ants and several butterfly species are involved in mainly mutualistic interactions. Previous field studies have shown that butterfly larval survival is increased in the presence of tending ants, suggesting that ants are providing protection against insect predation or parasitism. Here, we conducted a series of timed observational trials under laboratory conditions to assess larval survival and ant protection from insect predators for a myrmecophilous lycaenid butterfly. We focused on a critically endangered butterfly, the Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) (Comstock and Huntington) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), and its most common ant associate, the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) (Buckley) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), to test this assumption of ant protection. We found that ants provide significant protection to Miami blue larvae, with later instar larvae receiving a higher level of protection due to differences in tending frequencies. These results will aid in informing conservation management and future organism reintroductions for this endangered butterfly.

Morphology and ultrastructure of the prepharyngeal and pharyngeal glands in the ant Camponotus japonicus

The prepharyngeal gland (prePG) and pharyngeal gland (PG) make up the largest exocrine structures in the head of the ant Camponotus japonicus. We used microscopy to study the histological and ultrastructural features of both glands in different castes. The number of secretory units in the prePG is considerably higher than in other ant species and shows a complex duct system which is made up by duct cells, secondary ducts and a main duct. These lead the secretions of hundreds to thousands of secretory cells into the prepharynx through a modified sieve plate at each side. The glove-shaped PG shows clear caste differences in tubule number. The ultrastructure of both the prePG and PG shows abundant mitochondria and secretion vesicles. Moreover, the prePG is loaded with rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) which means its main secretions are proteinaceous compounds, while the PG is dominated by smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) which means the main secretions are lipids. The morphological differences like cell number of the prePG and tubule number of the PG indicate different secretory abilities of each caste. We for the first time introduce histology-based relative size to indicate secretory activity. The proportionally high development of the prePG in minor workers supports a role in trophallaxis.

On the behavioural biology of a morpho-variant of Myrmaplata plataleoides (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) (Araneae: Salticidae) with taxonomic notes

Abstract We hereby report an isolated population of a rare morpho-variant of the ant-mimicking jumping spider Myrmaplata plataleoides (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1869) from Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, India, which is also the first record of this species from the state of Jharkhand, India. Descriptions of both male and female spiders, the female’s exuviae, its eggs and habitat are presented. We have studied its moulting, feeding and sexual behaviour in detail, and have recorded various behavioural aspects that were never documented before, such as debris-rolling behaviour, photokinetic response, starvation response and oxygen deprivation response. We here report the occurrence of this spider near the colonies of the ground-nesting ant Camponotus compressus (Fabricius, 1787). This spider is known to mimic the Asian weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775), which are greenish orange to red in colour. Specimens collected by us are dark brown to black in coloration whereas the commonly reported specimens are often greenish orange to red. We propose that the darker coloration would have been naturally selected in this isolated population of M. plataleoides as an adaptation to coexist with C. compressus, which is also black in coloration and abundant around the spiders. Study of the moulting behaviour of the morpho-variant further reveals the display of a novel mechanism of ant mimicry among these spiders which we have named as temporal myrmecomorphy. Temporal myrmecomorphy has been proposed to be a protective mechanism used by a harmless mimic against the attacks of the aggressive models so that it can co-exist with the models. Present study establishes the usefulness of a morpho-variant as an important model in understanding the evolution and behaviour of a species holistically.

The balbyter ant Camponotus fulvopilosus combines several navigational strategies to support homing when foraging in the close vicinity of its nest.

Many insects rely on path integration to define direct routes back to their nests. When shuttling hundreds of meters back and forth between a profitable foraging site and a nest, navigational errors accumulate unavoidably in this compass- and odometer-based system. In familiar terrain, terrestrial landmarks can be used to compensate for these errors and safely guide the insect back to its nest with pin-point precision. In this study, we investigated the homing strategies employed by Camponotus fulvopilosus ants when repeatedly foraging no more than 1.25 m away from their nest. Our results reveal that the return journeys of the ants, even when setting out from a feeder from which the ants could easily get home using landmark information alone, are initially guided by path integration. After a short run in the direction given by the home vector, the ants then switched strategies and started to steer according to the landmarks surrounding their nest. We conclude that even when foraging in the close vicinity of its nest, an ant still benefits from its path-integrated vector to direct the start of its return journey.

Chemical identification of an active component and putative neural mechanism for repellent effect of a native ant's odor on invasive species.

The invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) and the red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) constitute a worldwide threat, causing severe disruption to ecological systems and harming human welfare. In view of the limited success of current pest control measures, we propose here to employ repellents as means to mitigate the effect of these species. We demonstrate that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) used as nestmate-recognition pheromone in the Japanese carpenter ant (Camponotus japonicus), and particularly its (Z)-9-tricosene component, induced vigorous olfactory response and intense aversion in these invasive species. (Z)-9-Tricosene, when given to their antennae, caused indiscriminate glomerular activation of antennal lobe (AL) regions, creating neural disarray and leading to aversive behavior. Considering the putative massive central neural effect, we suggest that the appropriate use of certain CHCs of native ants can facilitate aversive withdrawal of invasive ants.

Camponotus renggeri (Formicidae) predated Agelaia vicina (Vespidae) nest and occupied Parachartergus pseudapicalis (Vespidae) nest

Ants prey on social wasps affecting the evolution of nest architecture, defense behaviors, and selection of nesting sites of these insects. The importance of social wasps in natural and agricultural ecosystems, especially in biological control, justifies studies on predation of these insects by ants. The objective of this work is to report the colony predation of the social wasp Agelaia vicina (de Saussure, 1854) and the nest occupation of Parachartergus pseudapicalis Willinck, 1959 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) by the ant Camponotus renggeri Emery, 1894 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Atlantic Forest biome. The records occurred in 2015 and 2018 in southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. This is the first record of C. renggeri preying on and occupying social wasp nests. This relationship between social wasps and ants constitutes an adaptation for the survival of these latter insects, and the limited number of records increases the need for research on the relevance of this phenomenon to the ecology of Atlantic Forest Hymenoptera.

Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) increase predation of Belenois solilucis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) eggs in organic agriculture production systems: a multiple-site field study at Rashad, Sudan

Organic farming is becoming more popular as there is a greater demand for pesticide-free food. Pest control in organic agricultural production requires a set of skills, including the identification of effective predators and land-use practices. Predation by selected Coleopteran, Dipteran, and Hemipteran insects and Araneae is well established, whereas the predatory role of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) has received little attention in the Rashad district, Sudan. This study was carried out to assess the predation rates of Belenois solilucis eggs and the impact of the land use type around the properties on these rates. An experimente involving predation tests on Belenois solilucis eggs and fauna sampling were conducted in 18 areas of organic agriculture in the Rashad district. The study showed that ants can reduce the eggs population by 26.8% per day. At the same time, other predator taxa, primarily Coleoptera, from Coccinellidae and Staphylinidae families, removed only 13% of the eggs. Ant species with the most significant recruiting power were Axinidris acholli, Tapinoma carininotum, and Technomyrmex moerens. Ant genera such as Linepithema, Dorymyrmex, and Camponotus ants were also frequently observed. The proportion of the planted area within a 500-meter radius, in addition to the interaction of other landscape categories, had a minor influence on predation, but only when the predators were not ants. The landscape does not affect predation by predators in general, including ants, or on ant predation in particular.

De novo sequencing, diploid assembly, and annotation of the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus, and its symbionts by one person for $1000, using nanopore sequencing.

The black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is a pest species found widely throughout North America. From a single individual I used long-read nanopore sequencing to assemble a phased diploid genome of 306 Mb and 60X coverage, with quality assessed by a 97.0% BUSCO score, improving upon other ant assemblies. The mitochondrial genome reveals minor rearrangements from other ants. The reads also allowed assembly of parasitic and symbiont genomes. I include a complete Wolbachia bacterial assembly with a size of 1.2 Mb, as well as a commensal symbiont Blochmannia pennsylvanicus, at 791 kb. DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation were measured at base-pair resolution level from the same reads and confirmed extremely low levels seen in the Formicidae family. There was moderate heterozygosity, with 0.16% of bases being biallelic from the parental haplotypes. Protein prediction yielded 14 415 amino acid sequences with 95.8% BUSCO score and 86% matching to previously known proteins. All assemblies were derived from a single MinION flow cell generating 20 Gb of sequence for a cost of $1047 including consumable reagents. Adding fixed costs for equipment brings the total for an ant-sized genome to less than $5000. All analyses were performed in 1 week on a single desktop computer.

Evaluating old truths: Final adult size in holometabolous insects is set by the end of larval development.

For centuries, it has been understood that the final size of adult holometabolous insects is determined by the end of the larval stage, and that once they transform to adults, holometabolous insects do not grow. Despite this, no previous study has directly tested these "old truths" across holometabolous insects. Here, we demonstrate that final adult size is set at the end of the last larval stage in species representing each of the four orders of holometabolous insects: the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera), the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera), the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera), and the Florida carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus (Hymenoptera). Furthermore, in both D. melanogaster and C. floridanus, we show that the size of adult individuals fluctuates but does not significantly change. Therefore, our study finally confirms these two basic assumptions in the biology of insects, which have for centuries served as the foundation for studies of insect growth, size, and allometry.

Proteomic characterization of the fibroin-based silk fibers produced by weaver ant Camponotus textor

The fibroin-based silk fibers of weaver ants are an alternative biomaterial to be investigated and explored for potential biomedical applications. In this context, the silk fibers from the nest of the weaver ant Camponotus textor was solubilized and fractionated by gel permeation. The different fractions were collected, pooled and submitted to analysis with a series of biochemical methods, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, analytical proteomic strategies, and data treatment with bioinformatic tools to perform the structural characterization of the fibroin-based silk fibers produced by the ant. Our data demonstrated the identification of one fibroin proteoform in the ant silk fibers. The protein chracterized as a glycoprotein with MW around 40 kDa and presenting 66% (w/w) of total sugars attached to it through O-linked carbohydrates. The 3D of protein was modeled, revealing a structure predominantly constituted of coiled-coil secondary units in the whole model, featuring at least four superhelices (arrangement with multiple α-helices). The scientific outcomes reported herein may be relevant for the development of novel approaches for the synthetic or recombinant production of novel silk-based polymers for biomedical applications. Biological significanceThe present investigation significantly expanded knowledge regarding to the fibroin-based silk fibers from weaver ants, contributing to improvements in our understanding of the properties and characteristics of these silk fibers. For example, as reported here, carbohydrates were detected in the ants' silk for the first time presenting the fibroin as a glycoprotein. Moreover, the 3D structure provided new insights into the secondary structures considering the whole model of the protein.

Australian Honeypot Ant (Camponotus inflatus) Honey-A Comprehensive Analysis of the Physiochemical Characteristics, Bioactivity, and HPTLC Profile of a Traditional Indigenous Australian Food.

Despite its cultural and nutritional importance for local Aboriginal people, the unusual insect honey produced by Western Australian honeypot ant (Camponotus inflatus) has to date been rarely investigated. This study reports on the honey’s physicochemical properties, its total phenolic, major sugars and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural contents, and its antioxidant activities. The honey’s color value is 467.63 mAU/63.39 mm Pfund, it has a pH of 3.85, and its electric conductivity is 449.71 µSiemens/cm. Its Brix value is 67.00, corresponding to a 33% moisture content. The total phenolics content is 19.62 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g honey. Its antioxidant activity measured using the DPPH* (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing–antioxidant power) assays is 1367.67 µmol Trolox/kg and 3.52 mmol Fe+2/kg honey, respectively. Major sugars in the honey are glucose and fructose, with a fructose-to-glucose ratio of 0.85. Additionally, unidentified sugar was found in minor quantities.

Ecology of Otinotus oneratus Walker (hemiptera: Membracidae) on its Host Plant Tamarindus indica

This study is on the ecology and population dynamics of the membracid Otinotus oneratus Walker on its host plant Tamarindus indica L. The daily activity of O. oneratus when analysed revealed that it was active during 11:00 and 16:00 hr, and on extremely warmer days. Adults preferred woody internodal parts, while the early nymphal stages fed on the axil of the leaves, and the later nymphs fed on the internodal parts along with the adults. The resting posture of the adults were found to be in position with its head directed upwards on its host plant. The mean number of nymphs resting in a posture facing towards and away from node was 79.7 and 17.1 respectively; with adults, for males and females it was 3.0 and 4.6 upwards facing, and for downwards it was 2.4 and 3.6, respectively. The individuals were sluggish, and when disturbed, moved in a spiral manner around the twig, and stopped after moving some distance. Mating occurred for 5 min, followed by a female preoviposition period of 3 days. Eggs were elongate and white and laid in ‘V’ shaped manner, arranged in two rows with 12-19 eggs in each row. Parental care was exhibited with the females guarding 71.4 to 83.3% of egg masses. The incubation period varied from 8-12 days. Hatching occurred during the morning hours, and the nymphs were slow moving, showing a strong myrmecophilous mutualism, regularly attended by the large black ant Camponotus compressus F. (56.5- 92.9%). Predation by Gonatocerus brevifuniculatus Subba Rao and Mirufens afrangiata Viggiani and Hayat of eggs wqas observed. O. oneratus nymphs mimicked the thorns of the host plant, but they were brightly coloured (in contrast to the twigs). The occurrence of nymphs and adults reached a peak in December and January. The present study also assessed the population dynamics in relation to weather factors.

Ants mediate community composition of root‐associated fungi in an ant‐plant mutualism

AbstractCross‐kingdom interactions with plants were frequently related to microbial pathogens and herbivores. Yet, mutualistic interactions that involve multiple partners can confer cross‐kingdom functional benefits, which have been understudied. Ant gardens (AGs) are recognized as one of the most sophisticated of all symbioses between ants and flowering plants, forming good models to study cross‐kingdom interactions. The aim of this study was to examine whether ant‐plant interactions can influence the community composition of root‐associated fungi. We assessed whether two AG ant species, Camponotus femoratus and Neoponera goeldii, confer different physico‐chemical properties to their nests, and affect root fungal community composition and fungal functional guilds in the bromeliad Aechmea mertensii. The diversity and community composition of root‐associated fungi depended on ant species identity. The two ants had a contrasting influence on the structure and chemistry of the nest, and on the floristic diversity of the AGs. Multiple drivers may therefore determine the root‐associated fungal communities. As the outcome of the ant‐bromeliad interaction depends on the ant species, and because the plants are also involved in interactions with root‐associated symbionts, this study provided evidence that ecologically relevant symbioses can be mediated by cross‐kingdom interactions.Abstract in French is available with online material.

Practical meliponiculture: use of trap boxes to control Tracuá Carpenter ants (Camponotus atriceps Smith, 1858), an important natural enemy

This study aimed to observe the attractiveness efficiency of trap boxes installed in collective shelters of stingless bee colonies (Melipona flavolineata, Melipona fasciculata and Scaptotrigona aff. depilis), as an alternative method for non-chemical control of tracuá carpenter ants (Camponotus atriceps). The study was conducted at Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, in Belém, Pará, Brazil, from March to August 2015. The results showed that the efficiency of this technique depended on the presence of bee colonies and on the bee species in the collective shelter. Overall, an efficiency of 40.6% was found in the capture of C. atriceps individuals, which rose to 75% considering only collective shelters of M. fasciculata colonies, and to 87.5% for collective shelters of M. flavolineata. Trap boxes installed in collective shelters of S. depilis did not attract any C. atriceps group or individuals. The use of trap boxes in collective shelters of stingless bee colonies of the genus Melipona (M. flavolineata and M. fasciculata) is an efficient alternative method of non-chemical control of tracuá carpenter ants (C. atriceps).