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Multiple virus infections occur in individual polygyne and monogyne Solenopsis invicta ants

Clare Allen1, Steven M Valles, Charles A Strong

  • 1USDA- ARS, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.

Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
|March 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Individual fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) can host multiple viruses (SINV-1, SINV-2, SINV-3) simultaneously. Polygyne colonies show higher infection rates than monogyne colonies, indicating social structure impacts viral prevalence.

Area of Science:

  • Entomology
  • Virology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Concurrent infections with Solenopsis invicta virus 1 (SINV-1), SINV-2, and SINV-3 have been observed in colonies.
  • The capacity for individual ants to support multiple virus infections and the influence of colony social form (monogyne vs. polygyne) on infection rates were previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if individual worker ants and queens can be simultaneously infected with multiple Solenopsis invicta viruses (SINV).
  • To investigate whether the social form of S. invicta colonies influences the prevalence of single and multiple virus infections within the colony.

Main Methods:

  • Field populations of S. invicta were sampled sequentially to detect co-occurring virus infections in individual ants.
  • Intra-colony virus infection rates were compared between monogyne and polygyne colony social forms.

Main Results:

  • All combinations of SINV-1, SINV-2, and SINV-3 infections were detected in individual worker ants and queens.
  • Polygyne colonies demonstrated significantly higher rates of both single and multiple SINV infections compared to monogyne colonies.

Conclusions:

  • Individual S. invicta ants are capable of supporting simultaneous infections with all combinations of SINV-1, SINV-2, and SINV-3.
  • Colony social form significantly impacts viral infection prevalence, with polygyne colonies exhibiting greater susceptibility to single and multiple SINV infections.

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