Authors :
Anthony Ian G. Pag-ong; Dulce Marie P. Nisperos
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 2 - February
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3EeJFS5
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7649380
Abstract :
Morphometric measurements were applied to
the caste system of the Asian weaver ant Oecophylla
smaragdina Fab. 1775 collected from two cacao farms in
Luzon Island, Philippines namely: gyne (deleate
ant/reproductive female with shed wings); female alate
(female reproductive with wings); and male alate (male
reproductive). Length, width, and height dimensions for
the brood (egg, larvae, and pupae) were also taken and
recorded. The morphological measurements and
inferential analysis for broods are made available with
other caste systems as most studies of this nature delves
into worker caste and not the reproductive and broods.
A total of nine weaver ant nests were extracted from the
two sites of study. Each nest was dissected and the
specimens were separated according to caste. The colony
structure of O. smaragdina consisted of a deleate queen,
eggs, larvae of female alates, pupae of major and minor
workers, pupae of female alates, major workers, minor
workers, female alates, and male alates. The study shows
that O. smaragdina had a distinct caste system and the
frequency of individuals in each caste reflect their
respective functions which show eusocial behavior that
contributed to the success of their colony
Keywords :
Caste System, Cacao Farm, Colony Structure, Oecopphylla Smaragdina.
Morphometric measurements were applied to
the caste system of the Asian weaver ant Oecophylla
smaragdina Fab. 1775 collected from two cacao farms in
Luzon Island, Philippines namely: gyne (deleate
ant/reproductive female with shed wings); female alate
(female reproductive with wings); and male alate (male
reproductive). Length, width, and height dimensions for
the brood (egg, larvae, and pupae) were also taken and
recorded. The morphological measurements and
inferential analysis for broods are made available with
other caste systems as most studies of this nature delves
into worker caste and not the reproductive and broods.
A total of nine weaver ant nests were extracted from the
two sites of study. Each nest was dissected and the
specimens were separated according to caste. The colony
structure of O. smaragdina consisted of a deleate queen,
eggs, larvae of female alates, pupae of major and minor
workers, pupae of female alates, major workers, minor
workers, female alates, and male alates. The study shows
that O. smaragdina had a distinct caste system and the
frequency of individuals in each caste reflect their
respective functions which show eusocial behavior that
contributed to the success of their colony
Keywords :
Caste System, Cacao Farm, Colony Structure, Oecopphylla Smaragdina.
