Queen Dispersal Strategies in the Multiple‐Queen Form of the Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta

abstract: Newly produced queens in the multiple‐queen (polygyne) form of the fire ant Solenopsis invicta show dramatic variation in dispersal patterns, and this variation is influenced by genotypic variation at a single locus associated with the genetic marker Gp‐9. Heavy, homozygous Gp‐9BB queens exhibit the highest vagility among polygyne queens and are strongly attracted to the open, disturbed‐habitat patches that characteristically attract queens of the single‐queen (monogyne) form (all of which possess genotype Gp‐9BB). Intermediate weight, heterozygous Gp‐9Bb queens exhibit a mixed dispersal strategy: some remain in the area near their natal nest, while others disperse to land in the same disturbed‐habitat patches as Gp‐9BB queens. Light, homozygous Gp‐9bb queens appear to lack the energy reserves needed to take part in mating flights in substantial numbers. Most queens that disperse from their natal nest site apparently fail to infiltrate mature nests to reproduce. However, consistent with the expe...