Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study
In order to understand the effects of the morphology and surface texture of flower stems in <i>Smyrnium rotundifolium</i> on the visiting frequency of generalist ants, we conducted experiments with <i>Lasius niger</i> ants running on dry wooden sticks mimicking different type...
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oai:doaj.org-article:93ac21a1486f476e8dc85e134c775c3d2021-11-25T17:59:54ZCombined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study10.3390/insects121110262075-4450https://doaj.org/article/93ac21a1486f476e8dc85e134c775c3d2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/12/11/1026https://doaj.org/toc/2075-4450In order to understand the effects of the morphology and surface texture of flower stems in <i>Smyrnium rotundifolium</i> on the visiting frequency of generalist ants, we conducted experiments with <i>Lasius niger</i> ants running on dry wooden sticks mimicking different types of stems: (1) intact (grooved) sticks; (2) sticks painted with slaked (hydrated) lime (calcium carbonate coverage) imitating plant epicuticular wax coverage; (3) intact sticks with smooth polyester plate-shaped cuffs imitating upper leaves; and (4) intact sticks bearing cuffs painted with slaked lime. Ants were attracted by the sweet sugar syrup droplets placed on a stick tip, and the number of ants visiting the drops was counted. Our data showed significant differences in the visiting frequencies between the different types of stem-mimicking samples. The number of recorded ants progressively decreased in the following order of samples: intact sticks—painted sticks—sticks with intact cuffs—sticks with painted cuffs. These results clearly demonstrated that micro/nanoscopic surface coverages and macroscopic physical barriers, especially if combined, have a negative impact on the attractiveness of stems to ants. This study provides further evidence for the hypothesis that having a diversity of plant stems in the field, generalist ants prefer substrates where their locomotion is less hindered by obstacles and/or surface slipperiness.Elena V. GorbStanislav N. GorbMDPI AGarticlecalcium carbonate coveragecuffscuticular foldsepicuticular wax projectionsgreasy pole syndromeslaked (hydrated) limeScienceQENInsects, Vol 12, Iss 1026, p 1026 (2021) |
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calcium carbonate coverage cuffs cuticular folds epicuticular wax projections greasy pole syndrome slaked (hydrated) lime Science Q |
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calcium carbonate coverage cuffs cuticular folds epicuticular wax projections greasy pole syndrome slaked (hydrated) lime Science Q Elena V. Gorb Stanislav N. Gorb Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
description |
In order to understand the effects of the morphology and surface texture of flower stems in <i>Smyrnium rotundifolium</i> on the visiting frequency of generalist ants, we conducted experiments with <i>Lasius niger</i> ants running on dry wooden sticks mimicking different types of stems: (1) intact (grooved) sticks; (2) sticks painted with slaked (hydrated) lime (calcium carbonate coverage) imitating plant epicuticular wax coverage; (3) intact sticks with smooth polyester plate-shaped cuffs imitating upper leaves; and (4) intact sticks bearing cuffs painted with slaked lime. Ants were attracted by the sweet sugar syrup droplets placed on a stick tip, and the number of ants visiting the drops was counted. Our data showed significant differences in the visiting frequencies between the different types of stem-mimicking samples. The number of recorded ants progressively decreased in the following order of samples: intact sticks—painted sticks—sticks with intact cuffs—sticks with painted cuffs. These results clearly demonstrated that micro/nanoscopic surface coverages and macroscopic physical barriers, especially if combined, have a negative impact on the attractiveness of stems to ants. This study provides further evidence for the hypothesis that having a diversity of plant stems in the field, generalist ants prefer substrates where their locomotion is less hindered by obstacles and/or surface slipperiness. |
format |
article |
author |
Elena V. Gorb Stanislav N. Gorb |
author_facet |
Elena V. Gorb Stanislav N. Gorb |
author_sort |
Elena V. Gorb |
title |
Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
title_short |
Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
title_full |
Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
title_fullStr |
Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Combined Effect of Different Flower Stem Features on the Visiting Frequency of the Generalist Ant <i>Lasius niger:</i> An Experimental Study |
title_sort |
combined effect of different flower stem features on the visiting frequency of the generalist ant <i>lasius niger:</i> an experimental study |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
publishDate |
2021 |
url |
https://doaj.org/article/93ac21a1486f476e8dc85e134c775c3d |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT elenavgorb combinedeffectofdifferentflowerstemfeaturesonthevisitingfrequencyofthegeneralistantilasiusnigerianexperimentalstudy AT stanislavngorb combinedeffectofdifferentflowerstemfeaturesonthevisitingfrequencyofthegeneralistantilasiusnigerianexperimentalstudy |
_version_ |
1718411760149463040 |