A supercolony of Dolichoderus quadripunctatus Linnaeus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Institute for Evolutionary Ecology, NAS Ukraine
03143 Ukraine, Kiev, Acad. Lebedeva, 37
e-mail: asmoondey@gmail.com
In June-July 2015, on the territory of Kiev, three Dolichoderus quadripunctatus settlements of different size are detected, one of which is a supercolony (secondary federation) located on the territory of walnut (Juglans regia) and apple tree (Malus domestica) planting. Two true colonies include 10 and 3 nests, while the supercolony is represented by 134 nests. Integration takes place at the level of polycaly with breeding nests to true colonies and then to the supercolony. Each one of polycalic colonies that make up the super-colony occupies a separate tree. There can be from 1 to 7 central nests on a single tree. Supercolony nests are joined by routes of net structure. Formation and development of the supercolony has been facilitated by the following factors: the lack of dominant ants; the presence of trees in the orchards, suitable both in respect of species (trophic resource-aphid colonies) and age (nesting ground); polycalic organization of colonies; the interchange of brood and workers between different parts of the supercolony; fertilization of queens inside the nest.
