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Quantitative food distribution studies within Laboratory colonies of the imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren

Distribution quantitative de la nourriture dans les colonies deSolenopsis invicta Buren (la «Fourmi de Feu») élevées aulaboratoire

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Summary

The distribution of three forms of egg yolk protein, liquid bovine hemoglobin, soybean oil, honey, and water was studied in laboratory colonies of the imported fire antSolenopsis invicta Buren. Albumin and hemoglobin were radiolabelled with125Iodine to a high specific activity (10–15 μCi/μg) and added to protein foods.125I was mixed with the other foods as a free label. Each food was presented continuously over a 48 hour period and samples were taken at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours.

The ration of distribution of125I-albumin in powdered egg yolk was 80% in the larvae and 20% in the workers. For proteins in liquid form it remained at 45–55% in the larvae and 55–45% in the workers. The honey and soybean oil were retained by the workers for 12–24 hours before reaching the larvae. The overall ratio of distribution was 40% in the larvae and 60% in the workers with honey and 30% in the larvae and 70% in the workers with soybean oil. The distribution of food and average cumulative consumption in micrograms or microliters were determined.

Resume

La distribution de protéines du jaune d'œuf sous trois présentations différentes, d'hémoglobine bovine liquide, d'huile de soja, de miel et enfin d'eau a été étudiée au laboratoire dans des colonies de la «fourmi de feu» (Solenopsis invicta Buren). L'albumine et l'hémoglobine ont été marquées avec de l'iode radio-actif (125I) à haut niveau d'activité spécifique (10–15 μCi/μg) puis ajoutées à la nourriture protéique.

L'iode radio-actif a été ajouté aux autres aliments comme indicateur libre. Chaque aliment a été offert de manière continue pendant une période de 48 heures alors que des échantillons étaient analysés au bout de 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24 et 48 heures.

Dans le cas du mélange albumine marquée/jaune d'œuf en poudre, les larves retiennent 80% de la nourriture et les ouvrières 20%. Dans le cas de protéines liquides, la proportion est de 45–55% pour les larves et 55–45% pour les ouvrières. Le miel et l'huile de soja sont conservés 12–24 heures par les ouvrières avant d'atteindre les larves. Dans le cas du miel, les larves retiennent en tout 40% et les ouvrières 60% alors qu'avec l'huile de soja les proportions sont de 30% pour les larves et 70% pour les ouvrières. De plus la distribution des aliments ainsi que leur consommation moyenne (exprimée en microgrammes ou microlitres) ont été déterminées.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Texas A & M University, 77843, College Station, Texas, U.S.A.

    A. Ann Sorensen & S. B. Vinson

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  1. A. Ann Sorensen
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  2. S. B. Vinson
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Approved as TA 15149 by the Director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with A.R.S./U.S.D.A. Supported by the Texas Department of Agriculture interagency agreement IAC-0487 (78–79).

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Sorensen, A.A., Vinson, S.B. Quantitative food distribution studies within Laboratory colonies of the imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren. Ins. Soc 28, 129–160 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02223701

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