Premium
Diet‐induced nonmelanized cuticle in workers of the imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta buren
Author(s) -
Williams David F.,
Vander Meer Robert K.,
Lofgren Clifford S.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.940040403
Subject(s) - biology , fire ant , red imported fire ant , cuticle (hair) , venom , ant , formicoidea , insect , hymenoptera , amino acid , botany , aculeata , zoology , toxicology , ecology , biochemistry , anatomy
Nonmelanized cuticle development was induced in workers of Solenopsis invicta by feeding them an insect‐free diet. The nonmelanized workers weighed less and had smaller mean headwidths than workers from normal colonies. Although nonmelanized ant colonies appeared to function normally in the laboratory, their attempts at stinging were felt only as “pin pricks.” Chemical analysis of venom alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons indicated no qualitative differences between nonmelanized and normal workers. Tyrosine, an essential amino acid tanning precursor, was found in adequate quantities in the free amino acid pool of nonmelanized ants. The specific cause of the nonmelanized condition is not known.