Abstract:Nuptial flight is a critical phase in the reproduction of most ant species. Here, we describe the nuptial flight and mating behaviour of Acromyrmex ameliae, a leaf-cutting ant social parasite. We observed a nuptial flight of this parasite in a parasitized colony of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus -known as a host of the social parasite in nature -and we registered the initial and final times of copula as well as the time the male dispended attempting to mate. Mating flight occurred after the beginning of … Show more
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