Polygyny in Hybrid Imported Fire Ants

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Abstract
The occurrence of polygyny in hybrid fire ants from Mississippi [USA] was initially indicated by the clustering behavior of the workers around queens. Polygyny was demonstrated by the rate of oviposition of isolated queens, and dissection of samples of queens for the presence of sperm in the spermatheca. The colonies were identified as S. invicta/S. richteri hybrids by gas chromatograph analyses of venom alkaloids and cuticular hydrocarbons.