The Distribution, Nesting Habits and Activity Pattern Of Cataulacus Guineensis F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In A Ghanaian Cocoa Farm

Abstract

The study deals with the distribution, seasonal population pattern, nesting habits and activity of Cataylacus guineensis F- Smith in a Ghanaian cocoa farm. The ant was found to prefer nesting under canopy with continuous shade and showed significant association with Oecoghylla longinoda Latr. and Camgonotus olivieri (Forel). However it had no significant association with Macromischoides aculeatus Mayr, Crematogaster degressa (Latr.) and Polyrhachis decemdentata E. Andre. The colony size of Cat. guineensis was also investigated and it was found that 1 - 3 nests constituted a colony. The contents of the nests of Cat. guineensis were examined and the importance of the inquilines in the nests is discussed. It was found that an inquiline, Neotermes sp., actually initiates the nests of Cat. guineensis. Heads of the adults of the various castes were measured for comparison of head sizes of each caste, and it was found that except in a few cases, no significant differences were shown in the various comparisons. The structure of the nest and the distribution of the brood inside it were also investigated and the brood were found to be distributed almost throughout the next. The effect of meteorological factors, on the activity pattern of the ant was studied. Rainfall seemed to be the most important factor influencing the activity of Cat. guineensis.