Pharaoh ants have been observed feeding on patients, especially those exuding bodily fluids from burn wounds and/or orifices. This study introduced starved (3 d), standardized (n=250 workers, 3 dealate queens, 50 mg brood) pharaoh ant colonies with five simultaneously provided liquid food substances used in patient care (dietary supplement, 0.9% NaCl, 5% dextrose, human blood, and human serum)in hospitals and determined colony food preference by quantification and comparison of consumption. Ants consumed all foods. Consumption of 5% dextrose was significantly higher than consumption of all other foods provided.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Formicidae Monomorium pharaonis (pharaoh ant, sugar ant)
Keywords: human health, disease transmission
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