Abstract

JARAMILLO R, GLORIA ISABEL  and  CHACON DE ULLOA, PATRICIA. The ghost ant Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hym: Formicidae): queen fecundity and development of experimental colonies. Rev. Colomb. Entomol. [online]. 2003, vol.29, n.2, pp.227-230. ISSN 0120-0488.

We established a massive rearing of the ghost ant 7aptnoma melanocephalum in the laboratory, starting with individuáis collected in kitchens, bathrooms and gardens in Cali. The colonies had been maintained for four months in optimal conditions, feeding ad-libitum with sources riches in proteins, carbohydrates and honey bee, increasing (70%) the population of larvae, pupae and worker. The oviposition tests in queens indicated that 89% could produce eggs and the fecundity rose an average of 7,1 eggs/queen in 24 hours, with a range between 1 and 18 eggs.

Keywords : Tramp ants; Urban pests; Culture rearing; Queen fecundity.

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