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Nest relocation in the ant Pheidole dentata

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Abstract

We studied nest relocation in the ant Pheidole dentata, a common species in the southern US, by following colonies for 6 weeks. We correlated probability of relocation with several abiotic and biotic environmental factors, such as air temperature, humidity, leaf litter depth (LLD), nest type and presence of phorid fly parasitoids. Colonies moved often, on average every 16.2 days. By the end of our study, fewer than 5 % of colonies marked at the start remained in their original nests. Only 3.1 % of colonies returned to a previously used nest. The mean distance of relocation was 0.76 ± 0.73 m. Colonies nested in a variety of locations, such as in the ground, by tree trunks, under rocks and inside wood. Several factors affected probability of relocation. Higher LLD and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) increased probability of relocation. Probability of relocation varied by nest type, by plot and week of study. We found no evidence that surface cover or rain affected relocation behavior. Colonies appear to avoid nests that become dry by nesting against tree trunks. Phorid fly abundance correlated negatively with VPD, yet it had no effect on colonies’ likelihood of relocation. We discuss other implications of frequent nest relocations.

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Acknowledgments

We are particularly grateful to Anthony Ho for his invaluable help during field work. We want to thank Larry Gilbert at the University of Texas at Austin, John Crutchfield at Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL), and the rest of the staff at BFL for kindly providing access to the field station, lab space, and weather data. Richard McElreath and Fred Adler provided instrumental help with the statistics. Thomas Kursar, Philip Wiescher and two anonymous reviewers shared valuable thoughts and ideas. Funding was provided by the University of Utah, a National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellowship to M. M., and National Science Foundation grants DEB-0316524 and DGE-0841233 to D.H.F.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    M. Moyano & D. H. Feener Jr.

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  1. M. Moyano
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  2. D. H. Feener Jr.
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Correspondence to M. Moyano.

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Moyano, M., Feener, D.H. Nest relocation in the ant Pheidole dentata . Insect. Soc. 61, 71–81 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-013-0327-1

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