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Field observations of Pheidole pilifera (Roger) and Paratrechina arenivaga (Wheeler) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a Black Belt Prairie remnant in Mississippi.

Article Excerpt
ABSTRACT

Observations of foraging behavior, a preference for Panicum virgatum seeds, and nesting site information of Pheidole pilifera in a Black Belt Prairie remnant in Mississippi are presented. Aggressive interactions of Paratrechina arenivaga and P. pilifera involving insect carcasses are also noted.

INTRODUCTION

Pheidole pilifera (Roger), like most Pheidole species, has a dimorphic worker caste. The small minor workers do most of the foraging, whereas the larger major workers primarily dehusk seeds and defend the colony. The minors of P. pilifera are dark reddish brown, approximately 1-1.50 mm long with a head width of about 0.54 mm and head length of about 0.60 mm, whereas the majors are a lighter reddish brown, approximately 3-3.50 mm long and have a strikingly large head with a width of about 1.60 mm and a head length of about 1.72 mm (Wilson, 2003). Pheidole pilifera is reported to primarily be a seed harvester and to excavate crater nests (Smith, 1924; Gregg, 1963; Smith, 1979; Wilson, 2003). It is the most geographically widespread species of Nearctic Pheidole. This species can be found throughout the United States, with the exception of Florida, southern Texas and the Pacific Northwest (Wilson, 2003). In Colorado, Gregg (1963) found P. pilifera nesting from 1,524 to 2,591 m above sea level in gravel, alluvium, clay, loam, and under rocks. Whereas in south central Ohio, Wesson and Wesson (1940) found it to be very common in both dry and moist fields and meadows, with one colony found in the woods, and in the southeastern portion of its range, P. pilifera is known to inhabit open, grassy areas, especially those with sandy soils containing little clay (Wilson, 2003 citing S. Cover pers.comm.). In his list of...

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