Le polymorphisme larvaire chez les FourmisNematocrema d'Afrique

Morphological variations in the pre‐imaginal development of the ponerine antDiacamma ceylonense

“…Here we describe four distinct instars in D. ceylonense . It appears that four is a common number of larval instars in ants, but interspecific variation has been observed, from three instars ( Crematogaster stadelmanni , Delage‐Darchen 1972) to six instars (queen of Camponotus aethiops ) (see Masuko 1990 for review). In various Apidae and in Vespula wasps, the number of moults is difficult to determine because the larvae grow in cells, but five instars are generally observed (Michener 1974).…”

“…2004). However, temperature, food supply and season may induce great variations in larval weight within a given species (Wheeler and Wheeler 1979; see Discussion in Delage‐Darchen 1972; Petralia and Vinson 1979). Although our data show significant differences of body weight between instars, we occasionally found larvae belonging to one instar (based on morphology) to be heavier than some larvae of the following instar (see ranges in Table 1).…”

“…The present work is aimed at describing the postembryonic development of Diacamma ceylonense. We chose to base our determination not on size and/or weight characters but on more reliable cuticular characters (following previous studies Delage‐Darchen 1972; Petralia and Vinson 1979; Masuko 1990). We identify four distinct instars on the basis of their cuticular processes.…”

Nesting System and Foraging Behaviour of <i>Crematogaster (Nematocrema) stadelmanni </i>Mayr, 1895 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Douala (Littoral-Cameroon)

“…(Nematocrema) stadelmanni relates to the morphology and wing venation [4], the taxonomic history and distribution in Africa [5], the morphology of three larval stages recalling the description in another African arboreal myrmicine Cr. (Sphaerocrema) striatula Emery 1892 [6,7], the revision of its systematic position within the ant genus Crematogaster [8], and the composition of the alarm pheromone [9]. Until now, the foraging behaviour of African territorially dominant, arborealnesting ants was documented only for Atopomyrmex mocquererysi Andre, 1889 [10], Crematogaster sp., Cr.…”