ANNUAL LIFE-CYCLE AND TIMING OF MALE-EGG PRODUCTION IN THE ANT COLOBOPSIS-NIPPONICUS (WHEELER)

Life history parameters, including colony boundary, number of queens in a colony, seasonal change in colony-member composition and seasonal change in male-egg production were investigated for the arboreal ant Colobopsis nipponicus in the field. Colonies were shown to be typically monogynous and polydomous, with several different colonies inhabiting the same tree. The queen and workers overwinter only with larvae, which grow rapidly into new adults during early summer. Male-destined eggs were produced throughout the warm season with a conspicuous peak in summer that coincided with adult production. It is suggested that this might be related to seasonal changes in the food available to the queen.