Cold Resistance of An Ant Camponotus herculeanus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Various Climates in North-East Asia.

　　BACKGROUND: The relationship between cold resistance of widespread invertebrate species and overwintering temperatures has not been studied; however, this knowledge could have high prognostic value.

OBJECTIVE: Using an ant species Camponotus herculeanus to investigate whether there is a relationship between cold resistance and overwintering temperatures in two climatically distinct regions (coastal and continental).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We determined seasonal changes in SCP and LТ for overwintering ant stages, as well as winter temperatures in the nests.

RESULTS: In the watershed of Upper Kolyma River (Aborigen field station), minimal temperature in the nests dropped to -26С. Average SCP of the ants was -40С, and LТ was -37С. At the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk (Magadan) the minimum in the nest was -14С, SCP was -19C to -27С and LТ was -32С.

CONCLUSION: We have established a relationship between cold tolerance and overwintering conditions for geographically separate populations in the two areas with different climatic regimes.