What is it about?
The ants in Solenopsis genus are widely known for their fire ants, which are famous invasive stinging ants. However, more than 90% of the ants in this genus are actually 'thief ants' which are tiny, shy and slow moving ants that pillage resources from the nests of other species. Thief ant employ venom alkaloids to repel their host species> For living underground thief ants have remained some of the least understood ants in science. This work describes details of larval development stages of workers and queens of a thief ant species from Brazil. They are quite similar to fire ant larvae, excepting for being much smaller and presenting a unique hair morphology.
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Why is it important?
Understanding the biology and development of ants is fundamental in knowing one of the most important groups of insects in Nature. No previous larval description was available for Solenopsis thief ants, and there are still few detailed descriptions presenting ultrastructural information. Therefore, this study is a pioneering investigation within this group of ants. Chances of capturing larvae of thief ants enough for analyses are low, and this is a rarely collected species.
Perspectives
Expanding into the knowledge of other related thief ants is warranted, particularly the better-known European thief ant Solenopsis fugax and the American thief ant Solenopsis molesta. Further information regarding species-diagnostic features are highly desirable.
Dr Eduardo G P Fox
IBCCF / UFRJ
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Morphological Notes on the Worker and Queen Larvae of the Thief AntSolenopsis helena(Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from Brazil, Florida Entomologist, December 2011, Florida Entomological Society,
DOI: 10.1653/024.094.0427.
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