Distribution, ecology and behavior of Anochetus kempfi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and description of the sexual forms

Abstract

The ponerine, Anochetus kempft Brown, is a cryptic nocturnal ant, widely distributed in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is found in various habitats ranging from dry forest to rain forest. Males and the ergatoid queens are here described and illustrated for the first time. Mature colonies contain about 100 workers and may include several queens. We have observed males flying every month except March. In artificial nests we have observed that workers execute excess queens and males which do not depart from the nest within a short time following eclosion. These executions appear to be mechanisms to enforce outbreeding in the case of males, ortoforce emigration of excess queens to establish new colonies. Few queens are produced and this could be related to local resource competition. Permanent egg carrying by workers occurs in this species, a behavior not previously observed for any ant species.

Citation

Torres, J.A.; Snelling, R.R.; Jones, T.H. 2000. Distribution, ecology and behavior of Anochetus kempfi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and description of the sexual forms. Sociobiology. 36(3):505-516.