Tapinoma sessile

Tapinoma sessile
Tapinoma sessile worker
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
Genus: Tapinoma
Species:
T. sessile
Binomial name
Tapinoma sessile
Say, 1836

Tapinoma sessile is a species of small ant that goes by the common names odorous house ant, sugar ant, stink ant, and coconut ant.[1] Their colonies are polydomous (consisting of multiple nests) and polygynous (containing multiple reproducing queens). Like many social insects, T. sessile employs complex foraging strategies, allocates food depending on environmental conditions, and engages in competition with other insects.[2][3][4]

T. sessile can be found in a huge diversity of habitats, including within houses. They forage mainly for honeydew, which is produced by aphids and scale insects that are guarded and tended by the ants, as well as floral nectar and other sugary foods. They are common household pests and are attracted to sources of water and sweets.[3][5][6]

Tapinoma sessile have long been suspected of exhibiting cloning behaviors similar to those observed in black crazy ants This hypothesis has recently been confirmed through experimental evidence. In a notable experiment conducted by Marcello Ponzo, a colony consisting of seven queens and approximately 3,000 to 4,000 workers was kept in a controlled outworld and nest environment after being captured from the wild. Within a period of almost two months, the colony increased its number of queens from seven to ten under optimal conditions and a nutritious diet. This observation provides strong evidence supporting the theory of cloning in Tapinoma sessile.

Like most other ants, T. sessile is eusocial. This is characterized by reproductive division of labor, cooperative care of the young, and overlapping generations.[6][7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wired2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference dispersed central-place was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Barbani2003 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fellers1987 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Smith1928 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference urbanentomology was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Davies, Nicholas B.; Krebs, John R.; West, Stuart A. (2012). Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Chichester, UK: Blackwell Publishing. p. 363.