Summary
The weaver ant,Polyrhachis simplex, inhabits areas characterized by high ambient temperatures, year round open water and Homoptera-hosting plants. Its main food source is “honeydew” excreted by four homoptera species. We estimated the daily energy expenditure ofP. simplex and measured its energy intake of honeydew when it attended the aphidChaitophorous populialbae. Daily energy expenditure was estimated as 1.85 to 2.58 J/day and energy intake was calculated as 8.18 to 24.54 J/day, i.e. 4.4 to 9.4 times its energy requirements.
Resume
La fourmi tisserande,Polyrhachis simplex, habite des régions caractérisées par des températures ambiantes élevées, des sources d'eau ouvertes pendant tout le courant de l'année et des plantes accueillant des Homoptères. Sa source alimentaire principale est le miellat excrété par quatre espèces d'Homoptères. Nous avons estimé la dépense énergétique journalière deP. simplex et mesuré son énergie consommée en miellat lorsqu'elle prend en charge le puceronChaitophorous populialbae. La dépense énergétique journalière a été estimée à 1,85 à 2,58 joules/jour et l'apport énergétique calculé à 8,18 à 24,54 joules/jour, c'est-à-dire 4,4 à 9,4 fois ses besoins énergétiques.
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Degen, A.A., Gersani, M., Avivi, Y. et al. Honeydew intake of the weaver antPolyrhachis simplex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) attending the aphidChaitophorous populialbae (Homoptera: Aphididae). Ins. Soc 33, 211–215 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224599
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224599