ARS | Publication request: EVIDENCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF JUVENILE HORMONE FOR FLIGHT IN SOLENOPSIS INVICTA FEMALE ALATES AND THE INFLUENCE OF MATING IN POST-NUPTIAL FLIGHT DEALATION

Submitted to: Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 20, 2001
Publication Date: March 5, 2001
Citation: Burns, S.N., Vander Meer, R.K., Vogt, J.T., Nation, J.L., Teal, P.E. 2001. Evidence of the Importance of Juvenile Hormone for Flight in Solenopsis invicta Female Alates and the Influence of Mating in Post-Nuptial Flight Dealation. 2001 Imported Fire Ants Conference Proceedings. p. 171. San Antonio, Texas. February 28-March 2, 2001.

Technical Abstract: Juvenile hormone appears to be important in stimulating Solenopsis invicta female alates to engage in a nuptial flight. Alates that were topically treated with 100æg precocene II did not display typical pre-flight behaviors. These behaviors consist of alates ascending from the mound and climbing onto nearby vegetation. In addition, tethered precocene-treated alates could not be induced to fly. Behaviors associated with a nuptial flight were examined in untreated female alates to determine whether one or a combination of behaviors contributes to post-mating dealation. Pre- copulatory behaviors investigated were 1) excited alates scurrying on the surface of the soil, 2) excited alates climbing onto vegetation, 3) tethered alates flying for 5min but not primed for a nuptial flight, and 4) alates displaying all of the described pre-mating behaviors. The time in which these alates were induced to shed their wings was significantly longer than that of just-mated female alates. Mating, alone or in combination with other behaviors and/or environmental cues, may be a major factor inducing dealation.