Dolichoderus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:01, 19 July 2024

Latest revision as of 10:22, 4 October 2024

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==Biology==

Colonies are of varying sizes and are constructed in the soil, in curled leaves, in the hollow stems of plants and in cartons which are formed by the ants chewing wood and mixing the product with secretions in a similar way to that used by [[wasp]]s to build their nests. Some species are very versatile with ''[[Dolichoderus pustulatus]]'' nesting underground in northern parts of the United States while living wholly in trees in the south.<ref name=Nest/> The workers seek out and tend sap-sucking insects such as [[aphid]]s and [[scale insect]]s that excrete [[Honeydew (secretion)|honeydew]] and they also feed on small [[arthropod]]s. Some species emit a pungent smelling fluid. Two species, ''[[Dolichoderus plagiatus]]'' and ''[[Dolichoderus taschenbergi]]'', are believed to be [[gynePolygyny|polygynous]] with several queens in one nest. It is also possible that ''D. taschenbergi'' may be a temporary social [[Parasitism|parasite]] with ''D. plagiatus'' as [[Host (biology)|host]].<ref name=GD/>

==Species==