The crazy ant, Anoplolepis longipes (Jerdon) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on coconut palms in NewGuinea.

Abstract

Nests of the crazy ant Anoplolepis longipes, in the crowns of coconut palms, contained all castes and life stages except queen brood. The ant was attracted to the male flowers on the coconut inflorescence rather than honeydew-producers. Workers fed on nectar from male flowers and sap extruded from scars resulting from recently shed male flowers. Workers foraged on the inflorescence over 24 hours with maximum foraging activity at temperatures of 27.3 and 30.3° C