What is it about?
Argentine ants are pesky bugs. They are found in many places around the world, bothering residents. In this study we use super-microscopes to provide great detailed images and description of their larvae. Ant larvae are fascinating when shown in full detail, and here we illustrate worker and queen larvae of this pest insect.
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Photo by novi raj on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Understanding the biology of invasive species is an essential step to developing effective control methods. Argentine ants can be a big bother at homes and industry, and nobody had shown the world so clearly what their larvae look like, so there you go. Now one might be able to tell an ant from the looks of their larvae, and perhaps guess whether that maggot is bound to become a queen or not.
Perspectives
My team for describing these ant larvae was just awesome. It is sad that most have left science. I hope to increase detail in these description, if given the opportunity in the future. Particularly that wart on their backs -- what could that be? Some fellows in our lab did look into it, but we suspect they did not look carefully enough. One day, maybe, I will get back to this minuscule mystery.
Dr Eduardo G P Fox
IBCCF / UFRJ
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Description of the immatures of Linepithema humile Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Biological Research, January 2010, SciELO Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica Y Tecnologica (CONICYT),
DOI: 10.4067/s0716-97602010000100004.
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