Influence of weather and nest site on the nuptial flight of hill-building wood-ants of the Formica rufa-group (Hym., Formicidae)
1994
Klimetzek, D. (Freiburg Univ. (Germany). Forstzoologisches Inst.) | Faas, G.
The production of alatae and nuptial flight of hill-building wood-ants of the Formica rufa-group were studied from April to August 1992 on 1700 ha of forest near Freiburg. Winged ants were found in 28.7% of the 331 nests examined (Formica polyctena 27%, Formica rufa 27%, Formica lugubris 37%, Formica pratensis 48%, Formica truncorum 0%). The likelihood of finding alatae rose with nest height and circumference; previous damage of the nest mound showed no negative effects. Of the alatae-nests, 26% produced male male only; 38% male male + female female; 36% female female only. The pure female female-nests were found in F. polyctena and F. rufa but not in the other species. The production of sexuals lasted 2.5 weeks in F. rufa, 3.7 weeks in F. polyctena, 4.3 weeks in F. lugubris, and 6.3 weeks in F. pratensis. Nests producing sexuals were predominantly found at lower altitudes, the first appearance of alatae was delayed by 1-4 weeks per 100 m increase in altitude. An exception occurred in some nests above 800 m probably due to the temperature inversion. Nuptial flight was recorded on 20 days; and on 5 of these days more than one ant species was swarming
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