Response of fire ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis invicta and S.gerninata) to artificial nectars with amino acids

@article{Lanza1991ResponseOF,
  title={Response of fire ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis invicta and S.gerninata) to artificial nectars with amino acids},
  author={Janet Lanza},
  journal={Ecological Entomology},
  year={1991},
  volume={16}
}
  • J. Lanza
  • Published 1 May 1991
  • Environmental Science
  • Ecological Entomology
Abstract. 1 The role that amino acids in extrafloral nectars play in attracting ants to plants was investigated. Workers from laboratory colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren and S.geminafa (F). (Formicidae) fed from artificial nectaries containing mimics of the extrafloral nectar of Passiflora menispermifoh and P.caerulea; P.menispermifoh nectar contains higher levels of amino acids (1347.3 pdml) than does the nectar of P.currulea (125.2 μm/ml). 2 When sugar‐only and sugar—amino acid nectar… 

Preferences of the fire ants Solenopsis invicta and S. geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for amino acid and sugar components of extrafloral nectars

The behavior of S. geminata and S. invicta shows that both amino acid and sugar content can affect ant recruitment to plants and that differences in levels of recruitment cannot be predicted accurately based on simple assumptions of nutrient maximization or energy content.

Ant visitation of extrafloral nectaries of Passiflora: the effects of nectary attributes and ant behavior on patterns in facultative ant-plant mutualisms

It is demonstrated that extrafloral nectary plants co-occurring in a habitat and available to the same ants may differ in patterns of visitation by ants and perhaps in the quality of protection from herbivores that they receive.

The Role of Extrafloral Nectar Amino Acids for the Preferences of Facultative and Obligate Ant Mutualists

It is confirmed that both AAs and sugars contribute to the taste and attractiveness of nectars and demonstrate that the responses of ants to specific nectar components depend on their life style.

Extrafloral nectaries mediate the arboreal beetle community (Coleoptera) in a Neotropical rainforest

It is demonstrated unequivocally that EF nectar is a frequently utilised food resource of many beetle adults and beetles have been a significantly underestimated visitor group, supporting the hypothesis that EFNs influence the occurrence and structure of beetle communities.

Morphoanatomy of nectaries of Chamaecrista (L.) Moench sections Chamaecrista , Caliciopsis and Xerocalyx (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

Whether or not the leaf glands of species of this clade are in fact nectaries is investigated, the chemical nature of their secretion is determined and the morphoanatomical database on leaf nectary in Chamaecrista is expanded to contribute to the taxonomy and phylogeny of the genus.

Does nectar production reduce herbivore pressure on Passiflora species (Passifloraceae) in a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica?

  • Environmental Science
  • 2008
Mutualistic ant-plant associations are common and important elements of tropical ecosystems. The most common antplant associations are loose mutualisms due to the presence of extrafloral nectaries

Plant-Provided Food for Carnivorous Insects: Nectar as fuel for plant protectors

This chapter examines the many interactions promoted by nectar, with particular attention to its role in support of predatory insects on plants.

Gustatory synergism in ants mediates a species-specific symbiosis with lycaenid butterflies

It is shown that larvae of the lycaenid butterfly Niphanda fusca secrete droplets containing trehalose and glycine, which attract the larva’s host ants Camponotus japonicus, which collect and protect the larvae.

Extrafloral nectar content alters foraging preferences of a predatory ant

It is suggested that, by altering the composition of extrafloral nectar, plants could manipulate the prey preferences of ants foraging on them and can affect subsequent prey choice by predatory ants.

PM 3 Nectar as fuel for plant protectors

Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by plants on various parts of the plant body. Most people are familiar with nectar in flowers, collected by bees to make honey, and utilized by a variety of floral
...

References

SHOWING 1-10 OF 47 REFERENCES

THE FUNCTION OF EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES IN OPUNTIA ACANTHOCARPA (CACTACEAE)

The results of this study are consistent with the ant-guard hypothesis for the role of extrafloral nectaries in 0.

A Temperate Region Plant‐Ant‐Seed Predator System: Consequences of Extra Floral Nectar Secretion by Helianthella Quinquenervis

Flowers of some other composite species in the same habitats appear to be more effectively protected from predation by chemical deterrents, raising questions of the relative benefits of chemical deterrenting compared to ants as a means of protection.

Bracken Fern (Pteridium Aquilinum) and Nectra‐Feeding Ants: A Nonmutualistic Interaction

The developmental and seasonal patterns of nectar secretion fit those that would be pre- dicted if bracken and ants were engaged in a mutualistic interaction, but there is no evidence that the ferns in fact derive any benefit from their ant visitors.

Spatial Variation in the Effect of Ants on Extrafloral Nectary Plant

Results show that the possession of extrafloral nectaries can lead to increased reproduction in Cassia fasciculata, and the strength of this effect was found to vary widely among local populations.

EFFECTS OF ANTS AND AN ANT-TENDED HERBIVORE ON SEED PRODUCTION OF A NEOTROPICAL HERB

Variation and interdependence of various components of plant-animal interactions are likely to result in variation in the magnitude of their beneficial or detrimental impact on plants, and such variation should be incorporated into plant demographic models as spatially varying alternate life history paths to yield insight into the evolutionary impact.

Amino Acid Concentrations in Extrafloral Nectar of Impatiens Sultani Increase after Simulated Herbivory

Assessment of the effect of defoliation on sugar and amino acid concentrations in the extrafloral nectar of Impatiens sultan found that amino acid content increased dramatically in plants subjected to all three levels ofdefoliation; additional work is needed to determine if the increase in amino acids is adaptive and serves to attract more plant protectors.

EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FOR DEFENSE OF INGA (MIMOSOIDEAE) SAPLINGS BY ANTS

Ant-defense is a generalized and effective defense operating in the protection of Inga saplings against herbivores, but the extent of protection may vary according to what species of ants visit the nectaries- a consequence of facultative mutualism.

THE FLORAL AND EXTRA‐FLORAL NECTARIES OF PASSIFLORA. II. THE EXTRA‐FLORAL NECTARY

Investigation of floral nectary development and nectar secretion in three species of Passiflora found no evidence of participation of endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi in the secretion of pre-nectar, and it is concluded that in these starchy nectaries granulocrine secretion, commonly reported for floral nECTaries, does not occur.

EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES AND PROTECTION BY PUGNACIOUS BODYGUARDS

Extra-nuptial nectar glands, by their secretion, attracts to the plants which bear them, hordes of ants which constitute a temporary and changing bodyguard, disputing the presence of all other insects with the exception of their proteges the sugar-secreting aphids, coccids, etc, and resisting often furiously and effectively, the onslaught of ruminants and other large animals.

Feeding in the Larvae of the Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta: Behavior and Morphological Adaptations

Adult workers of the imported fire ant feed liquid foods to larvae of all instars, and feed solid proteinaceous foods only to the 4th instar, and the relationship of larval feeding to a possible method of fire ant control is discussed.