Temperature tolerances in the Namib Desert dune ant, Camponotus detritus
The mean preferred temperature of workers and brood of Camponotus detritus was 35°C at 100% r.h. and 31-33°C at 30% r.h. The critical maximal temperature of workers was 53°C at both 100% r.h. and 30% r.h. while the critical minimal temperature was 4.57°C at 100% r.h. Workers tolerated −1°C and 95% r.h.; 45°C and 95% r.h. and 45°C and 45% r.h. for 24 h. Keywords: Ants, Camponotus, desert, preferred temperature, critical temperature.
Journal of Insect Physiology