Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0983
ISSN: 2161-0983
Forest Protection, University of East Kordofan, Rashad, Sudan
Dr. Hong He, a distinguished expert, and author has published several articles on Forest fire Pests and diseases, works in the Forest Protection, University of East Kordofan, Rashad, Sudan.
Research Article
Leaf-Cutter Ant, Cardiocondyla elegans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Ecology, in Dinder National Park, Sudan
Author(s): Khalid A E Eisawi*, Hong He and Tayyab Shaheena
Leaf-cutter ants are distinctive among fungus-farmers because they forage for fresh plant material to nurture the
fungus. We investigate the foraging ecology of Cardiocondyla elegans (Forel) in DNP. We examined the species activity
pattern, forage material collected, and the relationship between load mass and forager size. Ant activity peaked at
night and was negatively related to temperature but positively related to relative air humidity. The majority of the
items collected by ants were plant material: dry and fresh leaves, flowers, and fruits. Trunk trails ranged from 0.7
to 13 m and colony home ranged from 2 to 28 m2, indicating that ants collect material nearby the nest. Total load
mass was positively associated with forager size, especially in the case of leaves. The negative relationship between ant
size and burden suggests that ants might optimiz.. View More»
DOI:
10.35248/2161-0983.21.10.240