Sucrose triggers honeydew preference in the ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • A. M. Zhou Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • B. Q. Kuang Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • Y. R. Gao Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
  • G. W. Liang Red Imported Fire Ant Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China

Keywords:

ant–hemipteran mutualism, sugar composition, sugar concentration

Abstract

Honeydew produced by hemipterans mediates mutualistic interactions between ants and hemipterans. Previous studies demonstrated that the mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) produce abundant honeydew and attract a large number of tending ants. Ghost ants, Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), show a significant preference for mealybug honeydew over aphid honeydew. Although many studies have indicated that the honeydew produced by hemipterans plays an important role in ant–hemipteran interactions, we know little about what triggers ants’ foraging preferences. Our results showed that the honeydew produced by both mealybugs and aphids contained fructose, sucrose, trehalose, melezitose, raffinose, and rhamnose. There were no significant difference in the concentrations of the various sugars between mealybugs and aphids, except sucrose. Xylose was present only in mealybug honeydew, and glucose was present only in aphid honeydew. We also found no substantial difference in the excretion frequency and the total weight of honeydew produced per 24 h between mealybugs and aphids. Ghost ants preferred sucrose. In addition, attractiveness of sucrose solutions increased significantly with increasing concentration. These results suggest that sucrose is the trigger for ghost ants’ honeydew preference.

 

Resumen

La mielcilla producida por hemípteros regula las interacciones mutualistas entre las hormigas y los hemípteros. Los estudios anteriores demostraron que la cochinilla harinosa Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) y el áfido Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) producen mielcilla abundante y atraen a un gran número de hormigas que atienden. Las hormigas fantasma, Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), muestran una preferencia significativa por la mielcilla de la cochinilla sobre la mielcilla del áfido (pulgón). Aunque muchos estudios han indicado que la mielcilla producida por hemípteros juega un papel importante en las interacciones hormiga-hemípteros, sabemos poco acerca de lo que desencadena las preferencias de forrajeo de las hormigas. Nuestros resultados mostraron que la mielcilla producida por las cochinillas y los áfidos contiene fructosa, sacarosa, trehalosa, melezitosa, rafinosa y ramnosa. No hubo diferencia significativa en la concentración de los diversos azúcares entre las cochinillas y los áfidos, excepto la sacarosa. La xilosa estuvo presente sólo en mielcilla de la cochinilla y la glucosa estuvo presente sólo en mielcilla del áfido. También no se encontró una diferencia sustancial en la frecuencia de excreción y el peso total de mielcilla producida por 24 h entre las cochinillas y los pulgones. Las hormigas fantasma prefieren la sacarosa. Además, el atractivo de soluciones de sacarosa aumentó significativamente con el aumento en la concentración. Estos resultados sugieren que la sacarosa es un desencadenante para la preferencia de la hormiga fantasma para la mielcilla.

 

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Published

2015-10-02

Issue

Vol. 98, No. 4 (December 2015)

Section

Research Papers

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