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The phenology of five species ofMyrmica (Hym. Formicidae) from South Dorset, England

Phénologie de cinq espèces deMyrmica (Hym. Formicidae) du Sud Dorset, Angleterre

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The patterns of worker activity of fiveMyrmica spp. have been measured by pitfall trapping. There were no marked differences between the species except for a generally higher activity level ofM. sabuleti Meinert during the Winter months.

  2. 2.

    M. ruginodis Nyl. was caught at the coldest site andM. sabuleti at the hottest sites. This is consistent with their performance under laboratory conditions.

  3. 3.

    Fertile queens of all species can be caught at any time during the active season. The importance of this observation to the social biology ofMyrmica is discussed.

Resume

  1. 1.

    Les caractéristiques de l'activité des ouvrières ont été mesurées chez 5 espèces deMyrmica par piégeage dans des trappes. Aucune différence marquée n'est apparue entre les espèces sauf que l'activité générale était généralement plus grande chezMyrmica sabuleti Meinert pendant les mois d'hiver.

  2. 2.

    Myrmica ruginodis Nyl. a été capturée dans les sites les plus froids alors queMyrmica sabuleti l'était dans les sites les plus chauds. Ceci est en accord avec l'activité générale de ces fourmis dans les conditions de laboratoire.

  3. 3.

    Les reines fertiles de toutes les espèces peuvent être capturées à tout moment au cours de la saison d'activité. Nous discutons l'importance de cette observation par rapport à la biologie sociale deMyrmica.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Furzebrook Research Station, The Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, BH20 5AS, Wareham, Dorset, England

    G. W. Elmes

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  1. G. W. Elmes
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Elmes, G.W. The phenology of five species ofMyrmica (Hym. Formicidae) from South Dorset, England. Ins. Soc 29, 548–560 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224224

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224224

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