Evidence of pheromonal queen control over the production of male and female sexuals in the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta

@article{Vargo2004EvidenceOP,
  title={Evidence of pheromonal queen control over the production of male and female sexuals in the fire ant,Solenopsis invicta},
  author={Edward L. Vargo and David J. C. Fletcher},
  journal={Journal of Comparative Physiology A},
  year={2004},
  volume={159},
  pages={741-749}
}
SummaryTwo hypotheses that could explain social regulation of the production of sexuals inSolenopsis invicta were investigated: (1) differences in worker/larva ratios; and (2) pheromonal regulation by queens. Small laboratory units (fragments of multiple-queen, i.e. polygyne, colonies) were found to be capable of producing sexuals and to be sensitive in this regard to differences in queen number; the presence of even a single queen inhibited the numbers of sexuals (male and female) produced in… Expand
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