Use of Conifer Resin to Create a Hostile Environment for Pathogens in Wood Ant Colonies

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

Introduction

Wood ants ( Formica Paralugubris ). Photograph taken by Gail Hampshire.

Wood ants (Formica paralugubris) have been observed gathering pieces of solidified conifer resin for use as nest material [1]. This behavior can inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi within the nest, and can even protect wood ants against a variety of pathogens [1]. Experiments testing the intentionality of this behavior have demonstrated that wood ants prefer to collect the resin over alternative building materials in the spring and summer months [1]. This preference for resin seems to waver in autumn [1]. No concrete answers have been given for this seasonal variation in behavior, but several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the phenomenon [1]. One leading thought is that the proportion of resin gathered drops as the ants focus on gathering twigs to prepare for the cold winter months [1]. Another possibility is that because parasites can often be observed to time their reproduction with that of their host, the need for resin is much more significant in the spring and summer months, while the new brood of wood ant larvae is reared [1]. Regardless of why this seasonal variation exists, the wood ants appear to recognize conifer resin through olfactory cues [1]. The resin also appears to be used to prevent illness rather than treat it, as the proportion of resin gathered by infected ants is no higher than that gathered by uninfected ants [1]. This behavior is a leading example of self medication behaviors in animals [1]. Wood ants appear to gather the resin intentionally through olfactory cues, conifer resin is detrimental to a variety of wood ant pathogens, and this behavior does appear to have a positive effect on the fitness of wood ants in contact with pathogens [1].




Benefits of Conifer resin for wood ant health

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Wood ant carrying globule of conifer resin. Photograph taken by Arnaud Maeder


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Antimicrobial properties of Conifer resin

Include some current research, with a second image.

Solidified conifer resin from New Caledonia. Photograph taken by James St. John

Conclusion

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References



Edited by Lucas Dunst, student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 116 Information in Living Systems, 2020, Kenyon College.