Seasonal cycle of the nest composition in the Ponerine ant Cryptopone sauteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

The annual life history is a basic and important factor in ecological studies on temperate ant species. The biology of Ponerinae species has been studied for many species, but little attention has been paid to their life history. Cryptopone sauteri is one of the most common ants in temperate regions of Japan. However, there is no quantitative information on the life history of this species. We report seasonal changes in brood development, the emergence of reproductives and social structures of C. sauteri. Additionally, we discuss that this species possibly exhibits a polydomous nesting system.

Keywords

• life history
• nuptial flight
• polydomy
• unmated queens