The ghost ant Tapínoma melanocephalum (Hym: Formicidae): queen fecundity and development of experimental colonies

https://doi.org/10.25100/socolen.v29i2.9609
Keywords:
Tramp ants, Urban pests, Culture rearing, Queen fecundity

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Issue: Vol. 29 No. 2 (2003)
Section Agriculture / Research paper

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Authors

GLORIA ISABEL JARAMILLO-R. Universidad del Valle, Departamento de Biología
PATRICIA CHACÓN DE ULLOA Universidad del Valle, Departamento de Biología
Abstract

We established a massive rearing of the ghost ant Tapinoma melanocephalum in the laboratory, starting with individuals collected in kitchens, bathrooms, and gardens in Cali. The colonies had been maintained for four months in optima! conditions, feeding ad-libitum with sources riches in proteins, carbohydrates, and honey bee, increasing (70%) the population of larvae, pupae, and workers. 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.

How to Cite
1.
JARAMILLO-R. GI, CHACÓN DE ULLOA P. The ghost ant Tapínoma melanocephalum (Hym: Formicidae): queen fecundity and development of experimental colonies. Rev. Colomb. Entomol. [Internet]. 2003 Jul. 15 [cited 2025 Dec. 19];29(2):227-30. Available from: https://revistacolombianaentomologia.univalle.edu.co/index.php/SOCOLEN/article/view/9609
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