Author
MWANGI, ESTHER - NCPA, UNIV OF MS, OXFORD | |
HASSE, ROGER - NCPA, UNIV OF MS, OXFORD | |
LEE, PENG - NCPA, UNIV OF MS, OXFORD | |
LAGO, PAUL - DEP OF BIOLOGY,U OF MS | |
BUCHHOLZ, RICHARD - DEP OF BIOLOGY,U OF MS | |
Streett, Douglas |
Submitted to: Agroacoustics Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2002 Publication Date: 5/6/2002 Citation: MWANGI, E., HASSE, R., LEE, P., LAGO, P., BUCHHOLZ, R., STREETT, D.A. RESPONSES OF INDIVIDUAL FIRE ANTS (SOLENOPSIS RICHTERI FOREL) TO VIBRATIONAL STIMULATION. AGROACOUSTICS SYMPOSIUM. 2002. P.159-174. Interpretive Summary: How imported fire ants respond to acoustical vibration both in the air and in the soil may prove valuable in the development of novel control strategies. The response of imported fire ants to various vibrational stimuli was examined and the behavioral responses of individual fire ants were determined to select frequencies. The responses of ants to targeted frequencies may prove useful in eliaiting behavioral modifications by the ants to optimize the mass production of biological control agents against imported fire ants. Technical Abstract: The response of fire ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel) to various vibrational stimuli was examined. Specifically targeted was the effect of a frequency of 250Hz on individual fire ants. The physical set up for the experiment included an accelerometer coupled to a substrate surface that measured the magnitude of the acceleration of the surface. Tethered ants were placed on the surface and subjected to a substrate vibration. Direct visual observations of ant responses (usually appendage movement) were recorded. Vibration frequency data was converted to velocity and surface displacement in order to quantify the sensitivity of insects to different vibratory stimuli, and the data was then analyzed statistically. The results showed that individual fire ants displayed body movements in response to vibrational stimuli. |