Army ant attacks by Eciton hamatum and E. rapax (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on nests of the Amazonian bumblebee, Bombus transversalis (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society
2003
Journal Article
76
3
533-535
social wasp defense animals animal behavior invertebrates insects ants Eciton hamatum Eciton rapax army ants Hymenoptera Formicidae bumble bees Bombus transversalis Apidae predation ecology Reserva Nacional Tambopata Brazil Madre de Dios Bibliography
This report contains details of the attack by army ants of the genus Eciton on colonies of the Amazonian humble bee, Bombus transversalis. Attacks were made on two colonies in different regions of Amazonia by two different species, E. rapax on a colony in the Tambopata River area of Peru, and E. hamatum near the Javari River in Brazil. Observations of the Peru raid include descriptions of the time-course of the raid and subsequent defense strategy of the colony, which successfully repelled the attack, in part because of its impregnable nest canopy and defending workers. The second attack was made on a defenseless colony (guards and foragers removed), destroyed by E. hamatum. Both the structure of the nest and a defense force come into play to withstand a raid. Ant-repellant substance(s) may be employed and should be investigated.