Food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

We used the ant species Myrmica sabuleti as a model to study the impact of electromagnetic waves on social insects' response to their pheromones and their food collection. We quantified M. sabuleti workers' response to their trail, area marking and alarm pheromone under normal conditions. Then, we quantified the same responses while under the influence of electromagnetic waves. Under such an influence, ants followed trails for only short distances, no longer arrived at marked areas and no longer orientated themselves to a source of alarm pheromone. Also when exposed to electromagnetic waves, ants became unable to return to their nest and recruit congeners; therefore, the number of ants collecting food increases only slightly and slowly. After 180 h of exposure, their colonies deteriorated. Electromagnetic radiation obviously affects social insects' behavior and physiology.

Keywords::

• alarm pheromone
• area marking
• food collection
• Myrmica sabuleti
• trail pheromone

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank M. Stachowitsch and J. Plant (Vienna) for copy editing the paper. They feel indebted to R. Cammaerts who helped them for settling the paper. They thank the Editor of the journal.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.