Colony density and activity times of the ant Camponotus semitestaceus (hymenoptera:formicidae) in a shrub steppe community

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/76.6.958· OSTI ID:6102563

Gano, K A; Rogers, L E

Colony densities and above-ground activity periods were determined for Camponotus semitestaceus colonies within a shrub-steppe community. Colony densities (x +/- SD) averaged 0.088 +/- 0.032 per m/sup 2/ and 0.048 +/- 0.028 per m/sup 2/ on two sagebrush-bunchgrass sites and 0.028 +/- 0.028 per m/sup 2/ on a burned site. Seventy-five percent of the nest entrances were located alongside the stems of sagebrush, indicating a preference for these microhabitats as nest locations. Above-ground activity times were determined by using time lapse photography. Activity commenced shortly after sunset, when light intensities dropped to 2.5 to 1.0 foot-candles (ca. 27 to 11 lux) and terminated just before sunrise. Light intensity appears to be the primary cue for controlling above-ground activity periods of this species, but temperature also appears to be an important factor. When soil surface temperatures drop to 1.7 to 3.9/sup 0/C, all above-ground activity ceases, irrespective of light intensity. 19 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6102563
• Journal Information: Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.; (United States), Vol. 76:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANTS
BEHAVIOR
POPULATION DENSITY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAILY VARIATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
VISIBLE RADIATION
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
DATA
ECOSYSTEMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYMENOPTERA
INFORMATION
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
NUMERICAL DATA
RADIATIONS
VARIATIONS
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)