Tj. Slowik et al., RESPONSE OF RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT TO MAGNETIC-FIELDS IN THE NEST ENVIRONMENT, The Southwestern entomologist, 22(3), 1997, pp. 301-306
Magnetic fields (MFs) were applied to laboratory colonies of the red i
mported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, to determine if ant behavi
or was affected. Weak, alternating-current electromagnetic fields caus
ed fire ant workers to deposit eggs and larvae near the MF source in e
xperimental colony containers. Ants did not react to stronger, static
MFs, indicating MF type may be important to ant response. Our results
reveal that fire ants may use MF information in nesting activities and
in orientation.