Influence of juvenile hormone analog on behavior in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

Scientific Reports · 3 authors, 2 centres

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TL;DR

This laboratory study applied a juvenile hormone analog (S-hydroprene) to nurse ants to investigate its effect on division of labor. The treatment caused a behavioral shift from internal, nest-based tasks to external, foraging-based tasks, suggesting juvenile hormone may regulate worker task transition in this species.

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The study evaluated the role of a juvenile hormone (JH) analog, S-hydroprene, in regulating task transition in worker ants of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Nurse ants were randomly selected and treated with S-hydroprene, a sham, or acetone, and their subsequent behaviors were observed in microcolonies and phototaxis assays. The central result was that S-hydroprene application did not affect phototaxis but caused a significant shift in behavior from internal, nest-based activities to external, foraging-based activities. The authors conclude that JH may be a conserved regulator for division of labor in this species, similar to other eusocial insects.

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other

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animal science

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10485025

Influence of juvenile hormone analog on behavior in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta

Scientific Reports

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ABSTRACT

Division of labor is a hallmark characteristic of social insect colonies. While it is understood that worker differentiation is regulated through either the queen or her brood, the understanding of the physiology behind task regulation varies within social species. Studies in eusocial insects have shown that juvenile hormone (JH) is associated with division of labor and the onset of foraging tasks. Although, outside of a few key species, this interaction has yet to be elucidated in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta . In this study, we evaluated the role of a JH analog, S-hydroprene in worker task transition in Solenopsis invicta . S-hydroprene was applied to nurses to observe behavioral changes. S-hyroprene application to nurses did not affect phototaxis, but there was a shift in behavior from internal, nest-based behaviors to external, foraging-based behaviors. These results show that JH may be implicated in worker task transition in S. invicta and may function similarly as it does in other eusocial insects.

CITATION EXPORT

Jesse Starkey, Chloe Hawkings, Cecilia Tamborindeguy. Influence of juvenile hormone analog on behavior in the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta. Scientific Reports. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41540-4

AUTHORS

3 · 2 CENTRES

Jesse Starkey, Chloe Hawkings, Cecilia Tamborindeguy

1https://ror.org/01f5ytq51grid.264756.40000 0004 4687 2082Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, 412 Heep Center, College Station, TX 77843 USA
2https://ror.org/05vt9qd57grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Present Address: Department of Entomology, Rutgers University, Thompson Hall, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA