The Effects of Ethyl Alcohol on Ant Colony Behavior

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective is to determine whether varying amounts of ethyl alcohol will affect the behavior of worker ants as they establish new colonies. We believe that the number of tunnels they dig and the time it takes them to dig tunnels will decrease with higher percentages of ethyl alcohol given in their water supply. Methods/Materials Seven identical, giant, commercially purchased ant farms were stocked with seven (7) sets of commercially purchased red harvester ants of the genus species Pogonomyrmex californicus. A chemist at the local state university donated 100ml ethanol at 95%. This was proportionately divided into application bottles in seven varying ratios of 100% distilled water, 100% distilled water, 100% distilled water, 95% distilled and 5% ethyl alcohol, 90% distilled and 10% ethyl alcohol, 85% distilled and 15% ethyl alcohol, and 80% distilled and 20% ethyl alcohol. The three control groups and four variable groups were administered their respective quantities every other day. They also received normal amounts of ant food every seven days. We documented the number of tunnels dug and dead ants daily by visual count and digital photography. Results Colony number 4 (85% distilled water and 15% ethyl alcohol) had the highest number of tunnels dug at thirty-one (31). However, colony number 1C, a control group (100% distilled water) had the lowest amount of death at six (6), and the second highest amount of tunnels dug at twenty-six (26). When comparing the number of deaths to the number of tunnels dug, colony number 1C had the highest productivity-survival ratio. Conclusions/Discussion It is our conclusion that high levels of alcohol do have an adverse effect on ant colonies. The data indicated that colony number 4 (85% distilled water and 15% ethyl alcohol) dug the most tunnels. This is due to either increased calories from the grain alcohol in addition to the ant food or having started out with a higher number of ant workers, which created a higher productivity number. However, colony number 1C had the higher survival rate and second highest number of tunnels dug. The data leads us to suspect that higher amounts of alcohol leads to higher death rates and at the same time the lack of calories from alcohol leads to less productivity.

Competition history

• CSEF 2002 Pharmacology/ Toxicology · Entry J1406

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