DISTRIBUTION OF LIQUID FOOD AND BAIT IN COLONIES OF ARGENTINE ANT (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Abstract:
The distance and speed that workers of Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), dispersed food was determined by feeding colonies sucrose + red dye. The maximum distances that the dye was dispersed was 33, 48, and 54 m at 24, 48, and 72 hours, respectively. The addition of 0.001% and 0.0001% fipronil to the sucrose + red dye solution decreased the distance that the dye spread and the percentages of dyed ants. The maximum distance that the dye was recovered was 21 and 27 m at 72 hours with 0.001% and 0.0001% fipronil, respectively. Total consumption of the sucrose + dye decreased from 685 ml in the control to 105 and 103 ml with 0.001% and 0.0001% fipronil, respectively. The effects of fipronil on workers began within 24 hours reducing the amount of bait consumed and the amount of trophallaxis that occurred. The future development of effective ant baits will need to consider the adverse effects of toxicants on trophallaxis and recruitment of workers.