小头钩白蚁巢结构研究

【目的】了解小头钩白蚁Ancistrotermes dimorphus Tsai et Chen的蚁巢结构、各品级在腔室中的分布和巢群个体数量,为有效防控该种白蚁提供科学依据。【方法】采用蚁巢定位和巢体结构解剖法研究蚁巢结构;采用统计法确定各品级在腔室中的分布和巢群个体数量。【结果】小头钩白蚁巢由腔室、菌圃、蚁路、王室、候飞室和分飞孔六部分组成;巢群个体数量为12 255~24 230头(含卵粒);卵、幼蚁、若蚁、工蚁、兵蚁和有翅成虫分散分布在蚁巢腔室中,并不集中于某一特定区域。【结论】小头钩白蚁巢属于极端分散类型,巢群个体数量较少。     

圆唇散白蚁补充生殖蚁的类型与建群能力

摘要: 【目的】为了探讨圆唇散白蚁Reticulitermes labralis补充生殖蚁对巢群稳定和发展的作用。【方法】对野外巢群进行调查研究, 及对婚飞成虫通过雌雄配对与补充生殖蚁隔离巢群进行人工饲养的对比研究。【结果】在野外巢群只发现1对原始蚁王蚁后, 而补充生殖蚁的数量最多可达到689头/巢。圆唇散白蚁有3种类型的补充生殖蚁, 即由工蚁转化来的无翅型补充生殖蚁、若蚁转化来的翅芽型补充生殖蚁和末龄若蚁羽化来的拟成虫型补充生殖蚁。实验室条件下婚飞配对群体和隔离群体建群1个月后的存活率分别为64%和96%。建巢初期婚飞配对群体的子代数目增长缓慢, 2个月时的群体数量为6.3±1.54, 10个月时的群体数量也仅为8.4±1.47; 而隔离建群补充生殖蚁2个月时的群体数量为52.4±6.44, 10个月时的群体数量为164.3±20.85, 都高于婚飞配对群体。 此外, 野外巢群的补充蚁后跟原始蚁后一样都具有发达的卵巢。【结论】在圆唇散白蚁中补充生殖蚁是白蚁巢群主要的繁殖力量, 也是建立新巢群的重要繁殖品级。     

昆明红火蚁种群发生特征

【目的】2013年10月云南省元谋县首次发现红火蚁。掌握红火蚁蚁巢各品级发生动态,能为当地红火蚁的防控提供技术支撑。【方法】2015年1—12月,在昆明宜良县对红火蚁蚁巢取样、分离,红火蚁取样、称重,统计红火蚁各品级的头数。【结果】地上蚁巢红火蚁蚁群数量发生高峰期在8—9月,其次是3—4月。蚁后数量比例高峰在3—4月;有翅雌蚁比例高峰在4月,其次是7月;有翅雄蚁比例高峰的在5月,其次是9月;生殖蚁幼虫和蛹比例高峰的3、4和12月。地上蚁巢工蚁、兵蚁、职能蚁幼虫和蛹数量发生的高峰期在8—9月,发生小高峰期在4月。【结论】昆明红火蚁蚁群数量动态有2个峰值,第一个峰值为8—9月,以职能蚁防治为主;第二个蜂值3—4月,以生殖蚁和职能蚁防治为主。该结果为昆明红火蚁防控技术提供了数据支撑。     

圆唇散白蚁雌性补充生殖蚁不同发育阶段表皮长链碳氢化合物的变化

【目的】确定圆唇散白蚁 Reticulitermes labralis 补充生殖蚁不同发育阶段表皮长链碳氢化合物(cuticular long-chained hydrocarbons, CHCs) 的变化。【方法】人工隔离巢群饲养圆唇散白蚁 R. labralis,观测其翅芽型补充生殖蚁的分化时间和补充生殖蚁数量趋于稳定的时间,并采用气质联用仪(GC-MS)对补充生殖蚁不同发育阶段的表皮长链碳氢化合物变化趋势进行分析。【结果】随着补充生殖蚁的出现,每一巢群会逐渐形成稳定数量的具有生殖能力的生殖蚁。若蚁在分化为补充生殖蚁的第8天时,43.3%的组补充生殖蚁数量趋于稳定,第16天时83.3%的组趋于稳定,第25天时93.3%的组趋于稳定,36 d后100%的组趋于稳定。通过补充生殖蚁不同发育阶段中CHCs各峰面积与若蚁阶段相应峰峰面积的比值随发育阶段的变化趋势分析发现,在卵中没有检测到的保留时间为38.52 min的化合物在补充生殖蚁产7~8粒卵时峰面积比值是若蚁阶段的14.14倍;在卵中检测到的保留时间为35.50和39.21 min的峰面积比值在补充生殖蚁开始产卵后显著升高。【结论】CHCs不能用来区分有无生殖能力的补充生殖蚁个体,但可以很好地用来区分补充生殖蚁个体与尚未转化为生殖蚁的若蚁个体;保留时间为38.52 min的化合物是补充生殖蚁的特有物质;保留时间为35.50和39.21 min的化合物可作为补充生殖蚁已经产卵的标志。     

黑翅土白蚁触角感器的扫描电镜观察

【目的】通过黑翅土白蚁Odontotermes fomosanus(Shiraki)幼蚁、工蚁、兵蚁触角感器种类、数量及分布的研究,分析不同龄幼蚁、工蚁和兵蚁的触角感器特征,为进一步研究触角感器发育特点及不同个体的行为分化机制提供参考。【方法】通过扫描电镜观察触角形态,分析触角节数、感器种类、数量及分布特征。【结果】工蚁、兵蚁、幼蚁个体触角长度差异显著,触角长度顺序:工蚁>兵蚁>3龄幼蚁>2龄幼蚁>1龄幼蚁;触角感器共有9种类型,分别为短毛形感器、长毛形感器、短刺形感器、长刺形感器、锥状B?hm氏鬃毛、球状钟形感器、刺突状钟形感器、球状钟形感器与刺突状钟形感器中间型、长刺具泡状感器。工蚁、兵蚁缺少长刺具泡状感器。幼蚁触角感器种类和数量随龄数而增加,1龄幼蚁具7种感器,缺少球状钟形感器和球状钟形感器与刺突状钟形感器中间型2种类型;2龄幼蚁具有8种感器,缺球状钟形感器;3龄幼蚁具有全部9种类型感器。【结论】黑翅土白蚁幼蚁、工蚁、兵蚁触角节数和感器显著差异,可作为幼蚁龄数以及非生殖品级判别的形态指标,应用于白蚁非生殖品级行为多型等相关研究。     

圆唇散白蚁补充生殖蚁发育过程中的卵黄蛋白原基因的表达及卵子发生

【目的】研究圆唇散白蚁Reticulitermes labralis(Hsia)补充生殖蚁分化及发育过程中卵黄蛋白原(Vitellogenin,Vg)基因的表达、卵母细胞的发育以及子代品级分化。【方法】通过使用实时定量PCR(Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction)技术测定补充生殖蚁从分化到产卵的过程中Vg基因相对表达量的动态变化;采用组织染色的方法进行卵母细胞发育阶段的观察;对子代的数量及分化进行统计分析。【结果】补充生殖蚁发育过程中,Vg基因表达呈现先升高后降低的动态变化模式。在补充生殖蚁分化后的第10天开始形成具卵黄的卵母细胞,在20 d时具卵黄卵母细胞的数量达到最高值。第1个月至第3个月,补充生殖蚁的产卵数逐渐增加,分别为(2.45±1.43)、(7.68±2.53)和(12.10±7.09)粒。第3个月,巢内开始出现幼蚁,数量为(5.15±2.41)头;第10个月,巢群内有工蚁、前兵蚁和兵蚁的分化,分别为(17.03±2.28)、(1.45±0.31)和(0.79±0.18)头。【结论】在新建巢群中,若蚁的分化在工蚁和兵蚁分化之后。圆唇散白蚁若蚁在巢群需要的时候,可以在很短时间内转化为补充生殖蚁;Vg基因的表达水平与卵母细胞的卵黄形成相关,Vg基因表达量的增加启动了卵母细胞的卵黄摄取过程。虽然单个补充生殖蚁产卵量不如单个原始生殖蚁的多,但是在一个巢内补充生殖蚁总的产卵数目要远远超过原始生殖蚁,因为补充生殖蚁的数量比原始生殖蚁的数量多。因此补充生殖蚁对巢群稳定和发展具有重要作用。     

白蚁的蚁客

<正> 白蚁是一类多型的、营社会生活的昆虫。白蚁巢内部常能发现许多蚁客(Termitophiles)。较低等的、蚁巢结构较简单的白蚁,其蚁客的种类和数量较少;而高等的、蚁巢结构复杂、特别是具有菌圃的蚁巢,其中蚁客的种类和数量也较多。 作者近年来(1975—1979)在浙江有关地区白蚁防治单位的协助下,自尖叉原白蚁、黑胸散白蚁、家白蚁、屏南象白蚁、黑翅土白蚁及黄翅大白蚁等6种蚁巢内,采集到30多种蚁客。经初步鉴定,它们隶属于节肢动物门中3个纲、9个目、16个科。其中以昆虫纲的种类最为丰     

黑胸散白蚁下唇腺的解剖和扫描电镜观察

【目的】通过研究黑胸散白蚁Reticulitermes chinensis下唇腺解剖构造及其在不同品级个体间的分化,为进一步探索口交哺和品级分化机制提供参考。【方法】通过显微解剖观察,了解黑胸散白蚁下唇腺的形态构造及其在不同品级个体间的分化;通过扫描电镜观察,了解下唇腺的结构及神经支配;通过饮水实验,研究工蚁饮水及下唇腺囊的贮水功能。【结果】黑胸散白蚁下唇腺是左右对称结构,每侧构造由一个下唇腺腺泡群、一个下唇腺囊及相关的导管组成。每侧导管分别开口于舌基部下方。蚁后的下唇腺最发达,在下唇腺大小、下唇腺囊大小、腺泡大小及腺泡数量4方面均显著高于其他品级个体;兵蚁、工蚁、有翅成虫的下唇腺也较为发达,相互之间这4个参数的差异性不显著。扫描电镜观察发现,工蚁下唇腺腺泡由主导管和分支导管相连,腺泡外侧有神经分布。黑胸散白蚁工蚁有饮水习性,获得的水贮存在下唇腺囊内。【结论】黑胸散白蚁不同品级个体间,蚁后的下唇腺最发达,有翅成虫的下唇腺也比较发达,说明蚁后除行使生殖职能外,还承担交哺育幼等职能。黑胸散白蚁工蚁有饮水习性,下唇腺囊有贮水功能。     

乳白蚁不同品级的比例

乳白蚁Coptotermes在湖北宜昌地区每年11月～次年3月收集到的巢群,每年品级比例基本平衡。品级头比的数据一律来自1月份的巢群;品级重比是11月～次年3月的巢群。品级的比例分别为：工蚁占81．70％、干重比69．45％;兵蚁占7．50％、干重比7．69％;生殖蚁占10．80％、干重比26．76％。     

土垅大白蚁Macrotermes annandalei(Silvestri)采食品级的踪迹信息素

【目的】解析土垅大白蚁Macrotermes annandalei(Silvestri)采食行为中的踪迹信息交流机制。【方法】通过对其踪迹信息素进行化学和行为活性分析。【结果】土垅大白蚁兵蚁腹板腺源踪迹信息素的主要成分为顺-3-十二碳单烯醇-1((3Z)-dodec-3-en-l-ol,DOE),与工蚁的踪迹信息素化学结构完全相同。大兵蚁腺体当中DOE的含量最高,分别是大、小工蚁品级和小兵蚁品级DOE含量的3.88倍和3.78倍,与其在采食行为中的功能相适应。尽管小兵蚁的位置处于采食队伍的先锋,但小兵蚁的踪迹信息素含量与工蚁相当,不能起到召募采食的作用。行为观察和跟踪信息素行为活性表明大兵蚁具有通过分泌大量踪迹信息素召募工蚁品级的能力。【结论】土垅大白蚁依靠大兵蚁分泌大量踪迹信息素单一组分及其在采食队伍中的位置的变化来实现采食行为中的方向信息的快速传递交流。     

Caste differentiation and seasonal changes in Vespa velutina (Hym.: Vespidae) colonies in its introduced range

Since its introduction in France 10 years ago, the yellow‐legged hornet, Vespa velutina, has rapidly spread to neighbouring countries (Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Germany). It showed efficient social traits facilitating its invasive success. Only scarce and incomplete natural history studies were known from its native distribution area. Studying the biology of this species in its invasive distribution range was thus a prerequisite to the implementation of efficient control methods in a near future. During a 3‐year field survey, we collected 77 nests to investigate several of the species' key colony characteristics. Our results enabled us to accurately quantify each of the castes and to better understand their synchronicity throughout the season. Our study showed that mature nests are able to produce up to 13 000 individuals and that the size of mature nests is correlated to the number of individuals produced. This correlation enables the inference of one characteristic from the other. Furthermore, each mature nest can produce up to several hundreds of potential founder queens, a crucial datum in the light of today's unregulated spring queen trapping control campaigns. In addition, nest dissections enabled to record the incidence of nest relocation for the first time in this species. Results are discussed with regards to what is known in other Vespidae species, with a focus on Vespula species that are known to be invasive in many other countries worldwide.     

Nesting biology of Asian paper wasps Polistes chinensis antennalis Pérez,and Australian paper wasps P. humilis (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in northern New Zealand

Abstract

We recorded the numbers of cells, and where possible distinguished between cells containing pupating larvae and vacated cells, from 585 paper wasp nests from the northern North Island, New Zealand, plus nest site characteristics of 540 of these nests. Nests of Polistes chinensis antennalis and P. humilis developed at similar rates in early summer. P. c. antennalis nests were larger at the Post‐emergence stage than those of P. humilis, and contained more vacated cells but less capped cells. All of the P. c. antennalis nests had reached the Post‐emergence stage by February in Northland, but not in the other regions. P. c. antennalis nests in the Post‐emergence stage were larger in Northland than further south, and contained the most capped or vacated cells. Nests of both species were usually found in northern‐facing sites. Substrate did not affect nest size. Differences between the species in nest sites included greater use of manmade structures by P. c. antennalis; the use of leaves by P. humilis only; and a higher average nest site height in P. humilis. These differences in nest site selection may reduce competition between the species.     

伊大头蚁蚁巢的结构与分布

伊大头蚁Pheidole yeensis是舞草Codariocalyx motorius种子的主要搬运者, 在舞草的扩散中起着重要作用。2000年在西双版纳和思茅地区景谷县对伊大头蚁种群数量、蚁巢结构与分布进行了调查。结果表明:伊大头蚁主要在土壤中筑巢,深度可达地下50 cm;每巢蚁量一般在2 000～3 000头,最多的可达万头;伊大头蚁大多在海拔1 000～1 200 m的山腰筑巢, 以西坡的蚁巢密度最大,南坡次之,北坡最少;在丢荒2～3年的地里筑巢最多,其次为玉米和花生地,在森林里筑巢的相对较少;伊大头蚁的蚁巢呈均匀分布,但巢群间相互排斥。伊大头蚁筑巢生境与舞草生长的环境基本一致,蚁巢结构与蚁量有利于舞草的扩散与建群。     

The nest architecture of the ant, Pheidole oxyops Forel, 1908 （Hymenoptera： Formicidae）

Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests＇ internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understand- ing of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14.     

Testing hypotheses about the function of repeated nest abandonment as a life history strategy in a passerine bird

Nest structures are essential for successful reproduction in most bird species. Nest construction costs time and energy, and most bird species typically build one nest per breeding attempt. Some species, however, build more than one nest, and the reason for this behaviour is often unclear. In the Grey Fantail Rhipidura albiscapa, nest abandonment before egg‐laying is very common. Fantails will build up to seven nests within a breeding season, and pairs abandon up to 71% of their nests before egg‐laying. We describe multiple nest‐building behaviour in the Grey Fantail and test four hypotheses explaining nest abandonment in this species: cryptic depredation, destruction of nests during storm events, and two anti‐predatory responses (construction of decoy nests to confuse predators, and increasing concealment to ‘hide’ nests more effectively). We found support for only one hypothesis – that abandonment is related to nest concealment. Abandoned nests were significantly less concealed than nests that received eggs. Most abandoned nests were not completely built and none received eggs, thus ruling out cryptic predation. Nests were not more likely to be abandoned following storm events. The decoy nest hypothesis was refuted as abandoned nests were constructed at any point during the breeding season and some nests were dismantled and the material used to build the subsequent nest. Thus, Grey Fantails are flexible about nest‐site locations during the nest‐building phase and readily abandon nest locations if they are found to have deficient security.     

Nesting biology and nest re-use ofEulaema nigrita (Hymenoptera: Apidae,Euglossini)

Summary The nesting behavior of the euglossine beeEulaema nigrita was observed in the laboratory after being transferred from three nests to observation boxes. Nests were re-used by successive generations with more than one female working in each re-use process. Associated females were always of the same generation. All females that shared a nest foraged for construction materials (mud, excrement and resin) and each constructed, provisioned and oviposited in her own cells. The number of cells constructed by each female ranged from one to 23. Females stayed in the nests for periods ranging from 15 to 59 days during the hot and wet season and from five to 78 days during the cool and dry season. The egg-to-adult period was related to climatic conditions, and in all re-use processes it was longer than the time of residence of the females in the nests. The meloid beetleMeloetyphlus attacephalus was the only nest parasite. Due to the attack method employed by this parasite, the presence of more than one female in the nest did not result in improved nest defense.     

Lining the nest with more feathers increases offspring recruitment probability: Selection on an extended phenotype in the blue tit

Birds, among various other taxa, construct nests. Nests form an extended phenotype of the individual building it. Nests are used to extend control over the conditions in which offspring develop, and are therefore commonly considered to be shaped by selection. Nevertheless, scarcely any scientific evidence exist that nest composition is under selection. Here, we demonstrate with data from over 400 blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests collected over 8 years that a higher proportion of feathers in the nest lining is positively associated with the probability of offspring to recruit as a breeding adult later in life. Strikingly, the extended phenotype (nest) was associated stronger with recruitment probability than phenotypic traits that have typically been considered important in selection (laying date, and female size and condition). Our findings suggest that the choice of nest material could be a maternal behavior with potential lifelong effects on her offspring.     

Nest taphonomy of common terns (Sterna hirundo) on Poplar Island,Chesapeake Bay,Maryland

Mesozoic non-avian theropod dinosaurs displayed a diverse range of egg types and clutch forms, suggesting a variety of nesting behaviours, some of which may be shared with birds. More accurate inferences of these behaviours require taphonomic studies of modern nesting sites. Here, we document common tern (Sterna hirundo) nesting sites on Poplar Island in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Nests were surveyed on multiple occasions, documenting nest composition, density and distribution, as well as eggshell concentration and orientation. Three colonies yielded 79 tern nests with 193 eggs. Twelve nests hatched, 7 were predated, 30 failed and the fates of 30 remain unknown. Abundant eggshells occurred at the centre of the nests. Concave-up eggshell in or on the nest surface characterised hatched and predated nests, whereas eggshell forced into the subsurface seemed to favour concave-down orientation and may reflect post-hatching extended use of the nest. Eggs buried deep within the nest materials and/or substrate suggest adult abandonment. Quantitative data on eggshell orientation and observations regarding controls on nest distribution, egg predation and incorporation of intact eggs into the substrate at modern nesting sites provide physical guidelines for the improved interpretation of fossil nesting localities.     

Soil softness, nest initiation and nest sharing in the wasp, Cerceris antipodes (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Abstract. 1. The relationship between soil softness and nest initiation was studied at two aggregations of a ground nesting sphecid wasp, Cerceris antipodes Smith, in New South Wales, Australia.
2. Nests of C.antipodes were initiated throughout the active season. Nests were started more frequently during moist conditions and when more wasps were active.
3. Nest initiation was clumped on days after periods of rain. Nest initiation was only observed when the soil was soft.
4. Two experimental plots that were watered had significantly softer soil and more nests initiated on them than two control plots. Searching female wasps spent considerably more time on the watered plots than the controls.
5. Nest initiation through hard surface soils presents a problem to C.antipodes. Soil softness must be considered in any analysis of nest sharing in this species.     

Sociometry and sociogenesis of colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius: distribution of workers, brood and seeds within the nest in relation to colony size and season

1. The vertical distribution in the nest of chambers, workers, callow workers, brood and seeds was studied in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius, in northern Florida. On each of four sample dates (May, July, October, January), six to seven colonies, chosen to represent the full range of sizes, were excavated. All chamber contents were collected and counted. Chambers were mapped and measured. In a preliminary study, two nests were excavated after preventing vertical migration by driving barriers into the wall of a pit next to the nest, severing the vertical tunnels. The vertical distribution of these barrier-nests differed little from unrestrained nests, indicating that unrestrained excavation produced a reasonable picture of vertical distributions. 2. Nest depth, chamber number and total area increased with colony size. Chamber area declined sharply with depth, as did chamber number, such that more than half of the total area was found in the upper quarter of the nest. 3. The proportion of dark-coloured (older) workers also declined strongly with depth, but this decline was weaker in the spring, and depended to a modest degree on colony size. Conversely, in the distribution of callow (young) workers, the proportion increased towards the bottom of the nest. Mean worker age was inversely related to the depth at which workers were found. The proportion of the brood also increased towards the bottom of the nest, with worker brood, sexual brood, pupae and larvae all being distributed similarly. 4. By contrast, seeds were stored at a preferred absolute depth between 40 and 100 cm. Colonies shallower than 100 cm stored seeds in their deepest chambers. Larger colonies stored most seeds in the upper third of the nest, but patterns were somewhat erratic because chambers were either filled completely with seeds or were empty. 5. Because chamber area decreased sharply with depth, the densities (individuals cm^–2) of all colony members, including dark workers, were lowest near the surface and highest in the deepest parts of the nest. Here, worker densities ranged from 2 to 8 cm^–2, and brood from 2 to 25 cm^–2. 6. The regularity of the patterns of distribution suggests that harvester ant colonies have considerable spatial and temporal structure, which serves or is the outcome of important colony processes. A simple mechanism that could generate several of these patterns is discussed. New workers produced deep in the nest move upwards as they age. As they leave the brood zone they change from brood care to general nest duties, including increased nest excavation, leading to the top-heavy pattern of nest area. As they appear at the surface, they change to guarding and foraging. Thus, age polyethism may be partly the result of this upward migration of workers.