Impact of Weather Factors on Colony Inhabitation and Abundance of the Asian Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina (F)

Authors

  • Selvam K Department of Agricultural Entomology, Palar Agricultural College, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Melpatti, Vellore 635805, Tamil Nadu
  • Nalini T Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Entomology, Annamalai University, Chidambaram 608003, Tamil Nadu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2024.2089

Keywords:

Oecophylla smaragdina, colony distribution, colony abundance, Pongamia pinnata, Mangifera indica, Citrus limon, Azadirachta indica, hosts, nest numbers, weather factors, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Colony inhabitation and abundance of Oecophylla smaragdina (F) nest have been explored in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu through field studies. Twenty-seven species of plants under 17 families were observed to inhabit O. smaragdina. Colony inhabitation occurred in 20 plant hosts for all the six months: in Pongamia pinnata it was observed for only two months. Number of nests were maximum with Mangifera indica (42.67), Citrus limon (29.17), Azadirachta indica (23.50). Temperature has a significant relationship with colony inhabitation and nesting. Rainfall, rainy days, cloud and relative humidity substantially reduce the colony's composition. The colonies does not appear to be influenced by the maximum wind speed, average gust or UV Index.

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Published

2024-08-28

How to Cite

K, S., & T, N. (2024). Impact of Weather Factors on Colony Inhabitation and Abundance of the Asian Weaver Ant <i>Oecophylla smaragdina</i> (F). Indian Journal of Entomology, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.55446/IJE.2024.2089

Issue

Online First

Section

Research Articles
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Scopus
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Europe PMC

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