Morphological and ultra-structural study of Head capsule of Polymorphic forms in Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

A comparative observation of Head capsule of polymorphic forms in Asian Weaver ants Oecophylla smaragdina was carried out to study the functional structural modification in relation with the role of individual in colony propagation and formation. The ultra-structural observation of head sclerite showed clear size variation and demarcation in the fertile and non-fertile members of the colony. Presence of large variation of sensillary structure on the sclerite of Major worker and Drone indicates diverse roles of the individuals in the colony maintenance and propagation.