MOUNT CARMEL COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION FOR

WOMEN

PROJECT
ON
A STUDY ON THE DIVERSITY OF ANTS IN PAMPADY LOCALITY OF
KOTTAYAM DISTRICT

Submitted To:
Ms. Jaya P.J.

Submitted By:
Mercy N. J.
Natural Science
I B.Ed. 2016-2018

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 INDEX

SL CONTENT PAGE NO.

1.3 Statement of the study 6

1.4 Objective of the study 6

1.5 Scope of the study 7

METHODOLOGY 8
II
Study Area 8
2.1
Methods adopted 8
2.2
Materials Used 8
2.3
III ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 9

IV CONCLUSION 16

REFERENCES 17
V

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 I INTRODUCTION
Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps
and bees, belonging to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp like ancestors in
the cretaceous period, about 99 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering
plants. More than 12,500 of an estimated totalof 22,000 species have been classified.They is
easily identified by their elbowed formstheir slender waists.

Ants forms colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in
small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories and
consists of millions of Individual, Large colonies consist mostly of sterile, wingless females
forming castes of “workers”, “soldiers”, or other specialised groups.Nearly all ants colonies
also have some fertile males called “drones” and one or more fertile females called queens.
.The colonies are described as super organisms because the ants appear to operate as a
unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony.

Ants occupy a great variety of habits, with about 12000 known species World Wide. Their
biomass exceeds that of all vertebrates combined. Their social organizations is orchestrated
by intricate chemical communication.As central players in many ecosystem their species
composition gives an indication of ecosystem health and functioning. While some purists
reliant an undisturbed ecosystem. Others are weeds or even invasive. Their abundance and
varied ecological roles make them influential in agricultural ecosystem around the world.
Amid growing concern about biodiversity loss, some ant species and communities are at
risk of disappearing. Some event appearing on the IUCN Red list. While some invasive
contribute to the extinction of other creatures .Improved understanding of ants ,how to
identify them.Where they live,What they do there for a vital task in sustainably developing
our world.

Ants are ecosystem engineers, greatly affect in physical, chemical, biological properties of
the soil. The effects on physical soil properties are connected with the building of corridors
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and galleries ,which increase soil porosity and may cause separation of soil particles
according to the size.Anti-mediated chemical changes of soil are represented mainly by a
shift of pH towards neutral and an increase in nutrient content (mostly nitrogen and
phosphorous )in ant nests affected soil. These effects corresponds with accumulation of
food in the nest and the effect on biological processes ,such as ac-celebration of
decomposition rate. Effects on biological soil properties may be connected with increased
or decreased microbial activity, which is affected by accumulation of organic matter and
internal nest temperature and especially moisture .Effect on soil vary between ant species;
substantial variation can be found in the same species living in different conditions.

Ants are everywhere, but only occationally, they are noticed. They much
of the terrestrial world as the premier soil turners, channels of energy.Dominatiraices of the
insect fauna. Yet a receive only passing mention in text books on ecology. They employ the
most complex forms of chemical communication of any animal and their social
organization provides and illumination contrast to that of humanbeings.But not are biologist
in a hundred can described the life cycle of any species. The neglect of ants in science and
natural history is a short coming that should be remindied.Fortheyreprecent the culmination
of insect evaluation, in some sense that humanbeings represent the summit of vertebrate
evolution.

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 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Ants have great ecological value. Although their species richness appear to be
greatest in the New World tropics, global patterns of Ant diversity and distribution are not
well understood. The diversity of Ants in a habitat reflects the quality of the environment.
Ants are ecological indicators and responds to ecological changes. Climate change could be
analysed by monitoring Ant diversity along ecological and attitudinal gradients. They are
also an important part of the food chain, pollination, and nutrients cycle. The study of ants
diversity is an understanding the topic in this days various chemicals are used in soil and
plants.This chemicals are very harmful in living organisms.So this chemicals affected ants
and other micro organisms present in soil .So this population rate decrease in day by day.
The information gain from this project may help to the aware about diversity on ants in
Pampady locality.

1.2 NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Ants are among the most diverse abundant and ecologically significant
organisms on the earth.So this study help to aware the population of ants in a particular
area.Ants are the most diverse abundant organisms on the earth. They are eusocial insects of
the family formicidae and along with related wasps and bees belong to the order of
hymenoptera. They are easily identified their elbowed antenna, and the distinctive node like
structure that forms their slender waists.

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 1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Present project is stated as:

“A study of diversity of ants in Pampady locality”.

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following objective s has been formulated for project study.

1. To understand various types of ants in Pampady locality.

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 1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
Ants are important components of ecosystem and act as biological indicators
.Ants acts as decomposers by feeding on organic waste ,or other dead animals .They help
environment clean .The most of the ants have, either a direct or indirect relationship with
vegetation. Some of these are highly specific to the habit in which they occur. Depending
on the maximum benefits they attain for nesting, mating and food availability. Ants are
ecological indicators and responds to ecological changes .Climate change could be analysed
by monitoring ant diversity along ecological and attitudinal gradients. They are also an
important part of the food chain, pollination, and nutrient cycles. Their preference for micro
habit due to the above mentioned criteria where investigated by sampling and fauna in
various habit along with mapping the vegetation using to provide a detailed idea of the
distribution of ants fauna. So this project help to aware the different ants and there
population on diversity. And to examine the recovery of ant fauna in developed residential
lots based on several factors such as time since construction, neighbouring habitat quality,
pesticide inputs, and the presence of dominant, invasive ant species.

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 II.METHEDOLOGY
2.1 STUDY AREA
The study is conducted in Pampady locality of Kottayam District. It is a small
village situated east side of kottayam.

2.2 METHODS ADOPETED

Ants were collected from each sample using visual collection. “Sampling is a
method of collection of data from a small portion that representing the large
whole”(Population).Impossible to go and count each and everyone present. Taking number
of samples from around the habit making the necessary assumption that this sample
representative of habit in general, usually solves these problems. The size and number of
samples should be adequate otherwise it may not represent the characteristic of the
population.

Samples are usually taken using a standard sampling unit of some kind. This
ensure that all of the samples represent the same area.

2.3 MATERIALS USED

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 III. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

1. WEAVER ANT (Oecophyllasmaragdina) :

Weaver ants are reddish ants and are famous for the elaborate treetop nest they build. they
are soldiers keep asharp eye on the males(black wind)preventing them from flying away
until the time is just right. Weaver ants are champions of cooperation when it comes to
building a nest .The nests starts very simply. A group of workers ants finds a leaf that is soft
and easy to bend. Several ants line ant up. Each holds an edge of a leaf in its mandibles and
feet. Slowly, the ants pull the two leaf edges together.Weaver ant farm scale bugs for their
honeydew, they also eat small insects.

2. MINISCULE HOUSE ANT (Tetramoriumsmithi)

Sub family myrmicinae; tiny(2mm) red ants with a sharp bite. Workers of most
species have a ridged clypeus an appendage stinger, mandibles with 3 or 4 teeth, and
antennae with 3 segmented clubs on the tips. Most known species nest in the soil,in
decaying wood, or in leaf litter. Some live in trees or in termite nests.

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3.ODOR ANT (Tapimomamelanocephalum)

Sub family Dolichoderinae the most commonly seen ants indoors. it is very where-
clothes,curtens and even laptops seem to have supplanted the MHA a few years ago
.1.52mm length distinct pale yellowish gaster ;long antennae. They have dark brown or
black bodies with one node on their petiole, which is hidden by their abdomens. Odours
house ants have an unevenly shaped thorax when viewed from the side. They are often
found nesting in the walls or beneath the floor.Odourous ants often feed on honeydew,a
surgary waste produced from sap from feeding insects such as aphids.Odourous ants are
opportunities ,nesting both indoors and outdoors.

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 4. PHARAOH ANT (Monomoriumpharaonis)

Sub family Myrmicinae .workers in the size ranging from deep maroon head and
gester with reddish location outdoors –around the potted plants.Pharaoh ants eat food of all
types, but especially sweets. They will also eat other insects. Pharaoh ants grow from egg to
adult in about 38 days.

5.GIANT HONEY ANT (Camponotusirritans)

Fast moving solitary hunter .location indoors mainly in the ground floor bathrooms.
They are about 0.08 to 0.2inch long. They construct their nest in open, shaded areas and
may also nest in soil under shrubs, flower and garden beds. The big, bloated bellies of
honey and like this serve as “Living Larders” for their entire colony. Too big to move,
specialised honey ants called Replete hang from the roof of nest dug deep in the cool earth.
During the rainy season when the food is abundant, other worker ants feed

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replets.Honeyant”s main source of food is sweet nectar gathered from the flowers present in
dry areas.

6.WHITE FOOTED GHOST ANT (Technonyrmexalbipes)

Sub family Dolichoderainae .shing black ants.2.53mm long with an oval pointing
gagster recently hopped across from the banana fronds touching my window to look for
food in my dust bin .location out door on banana fronds; indoors in the windows sill. White
footed ghost ants are small dark ants look similar to Argentine ants and Darwin ants to the
naked eye but can be identified by the pale ends to their legs but only with the aid of a good
lens or microscope. They are often found climbing trees and walls and will readily infest
upper floor of buildings

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7.YELLOW CRAZY ANT

Sub family Formicinae ;red translucent ants.6.5 7mm long with large gasters.invasive
species indicate human disturbance in the habitat location. Indoors and out door. It typically
colonise in moist, shady, disturbed habitats such as agriculture land. Worker ants have a
lifecycle of 76-84 days. Queens survive for several years. Workers are produced throught
the year but production fluctuates. The sexual offspring are produced at any time in the year
but generally 1-2 months prior to the rainy season.

8.COMMON GODZILLA ANT (Camponotuscompressus)

Sub family in atleast 3 different size ranging from 16-8mm .for age in small groups
.location;exclusivelyoutdoor.They are large black and opaque body with reddish brown legs
and massive gaster.Major workers with large mandibles 11-16mm land and minor worker
with smaller head,6-8mm long distinct triangular shaped node on petiole. It is found in
India and southeast Asia these are predatory ants preferred to be alone or in small groups.
They occur in most gardens and parks and are known to have a gustatory preference for
urea and hence is a common visitor around lavatories.

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9.BLACK CRAZY ANT(Paratrechinalongicornis)

Subfamily formicinae. about 3.5 mm in length this ants main characteristic is its long,
slender antenna ,location mainly indoors .The crazy ant is an agricultural and household
pets most tropical and sub tropical areas, and is a pervasive indoor pest in temperate areas.
The crazy ant worker is relatively small. The colonies may rise sexual at any time of the
year in warmer regions.

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10.GREATER TRAP JAW ANT (Ondontomachushaematodus)

About 15 mm long these ants for ages solitarily with its mandible with wide open.
location only in the front of yard. It is well known for their large mandibles that can lock
back at 180 degrees. It can normally be found under dead wood forest floors. It mostly eats
other insects but also sweet substance. It have small colonies with less than 200 individuals.

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 IV. CONCLUSION

Ants have great ecological value. Ants are ecosystem engineers, greatly affecting physical,
chemical ,and biological properties of the soil .Ants are ecological indicators and responds
to ecological changes. They are also an important part for pollination ,food chain, and
nutrient cycles. The project is helps to identification of ants and their diversity in Pampady
locality .

Ants are among more diverse.Aboundent ant ecologically significant organisms on the
earth. In my studies, the ants diversity is more less in Pampady locality. Because the use of
pesticides and other chemicals are the major reasons behind it. Urbanisation and pollution
are the another case of diversity loss.

Applied to any chemical, biological and physical agents that modifies the
natural characteristics of ecosystem .so it affected on ants diversity..

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 V. REFFERENCES
1. 1.www.thehindu.com

2. 2.animals.nationalgeographic.com

3. 3.www.entomoljournal.com

4. 4.https;//naturalfarmerskerala.com

5. https://www.environment.gov.au/.../brochure-detail-crazy-ant-control-options.pdf

6. https://www.researchgate.net/.../271760307_A_Comparison_of_Methods_for_Sampl

ing.

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