Wingless reproductives in the slave-making ant Polyergus samurai: specialized producers of males (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

摘要

Three wingless reproductives of Polyergus samurai Yano were collected in the reproductive season. These wingless reproductives had developed ovaries and laid eggs immediately after collection. They lacked spermatheca and the eggs produced by wingless reproductives finally become adult males. These observations suggest that the wingless reproductives of P. samurai are potential producers of males.