Impact of temperature on colony growth and developmental rates of the ant, Solenopsis invicta

Abstract

Growth rates of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, were studied across a range of constant temperatures. Growth in established colonies only occurred at rather warm temperatures: between 24 and 36°C, with maximal growth around 32°C. Colony growth ceased below 24°C even though 17°C was the theoretical minimum for brood development. Total developmental time (egg to adult) for minor worker brood decreased from 55 days at 24°C to 23 days at 35°C. The proportion of time required by each developmental stage (i.e. eggs, larvae, pupae) was independent of temperature. Nanitic brood developed about 35% faster than did minor worker brood, an important benefit for founding colonies. Data are still fragmentary, but it appears that temperature-adjusted development rates of ants and other social Hymenoptera are quite similar. © 1988.