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Surfactant affects the tool use behavior of foraging ants
Aiming Zhou1, Yuzhe Du2, Jian Chen2
1Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|May 8, 2022
Summary
Surfactants negatively impact ant foraging behavior, increasing drowning rates and altering tool selection. Ants adapt by using more tools, especially smaller ones, to mitigate risks from these environmental pollutants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Behavioral Ecology
- Insect Studies
Background:
- Surfactants, widely used in consumer and agricultural products, contaminate ecosystems.
- Ants exhibit unique tool use for liquid foraging, a behavior potentially vulnerable to pollutants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the nonionic surfactant TWEEN 80 on the tool use and foraging behavior of black imported fire ants (Solenopsis richteri).
Main Methods:
- Assessed the effect of varying TWEEN 80 concentrations on ant tool deposition (pine needles, sponges) and drowning rates.
- Quantified foraging activity, food collection, and tool use strategies in response to surfactant exposure.
Main Results:
- Increased surfactant concentration led to higher tool deposition and drowning rates in ants.
- Ants selected more pine needles and smaller tools under surfactant exposure.
- Surfactants in food reduced foraging efficiency, while tool availability mitigated drowning and improved food collection.
Conclusions:
- Ants demonstrate adaptive foraging strategies, adjusting tool use (quantity, size, type) to manage risks from environmental surfactants.
- Long-term surfactant exposure may drive evolutionary changes in ant foraging behavior.
