Immunocompetence and Energetic Metabolism in Different Groups of Workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leaf-cutting ants live in big societies that have a very developed structure and elaborate division of labor. because different castes are subject to different levels of parasitism, it is expected that workers adjust their innate immune system to minimize fitness loss. We tested for this possibility by measuring encapsulation rate in different groups of Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers: workers of the fungus garden (GAR), foragers (FOR), leaf transporters (LTR), waste transporters (WTR), and waste dwellers (WDL) (those working in waste manipulation). GAR workers, those performing internal activities, exibhited the highest encapsulation rate when compared to other groups, those working outside the colony. Regarding oxygen consumption, no statistical difference was found among the groups, although lower absolute values for GARD workers could indicate lower energy consumption by them, reflecting their low level of activity. Our study indicates that control of diseases in an adult colony of leaf-cutting ants involves changes in innate immune response as workers age and switch tasks.

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