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Food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation

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Cammaerts MC, Rachidi Z, Bellens F, De Doncker P · 2013

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Myrmica sabuleti ants exposed to electromagnetic radiation followed trails for only short distances, stopped responding to alarm pheromones, and their colonies deteriorated after 180 hours.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers used the ant species Myrmica sabuleti to study how electromagnetic waves affect the insects' responses to pheromones and food collection. Workers' responses to trail, area-marking, and alarm pheromones were measured under normal conditions and then again while under the influence of electromagnetic waves. Under exposure, ants followed trails for only short distances, no longer arrived at marked areas, and no longer orientated themselves to a source of alarm pheromone. The number of ants collecting food increased only slightly and slowly, and after 180 hours of exposure their colonies deteriorated.

Why This Matters

Each pheromone-related behavior was first recorded under normal conditions to establish a baseline, then recorded again while ants were under the influence of electromagnetic waves. The researchers stated that electromagnetic radiation obviously affects social insects' behavior and physiology. Exposed ants became unable to return to their nest and recruit congeners, which the researchers linked to the slow and slight increase in food-collecting numbers.

Exposure Details

Power Density
0.00016 mW/cm²
Electric Field
1 V/m
Source/Device
900 MHz
Exposure Duration
180 hr

Exposure Context

This study used 0.00016 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

This study used 1 V/m for electric fields:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.00016 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 6,250 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To investigate food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation.

We used the ant species Myrmica sabuleti as a model to study the impact of electromagnetic waves on ...

Under such an influence, ants followed trails for only short distances, no longer arrived at marked ...

Electromagnetic radiation obviously affects social insects' behavior and physiology

Cite This Study
Cammaerts MC, Rachidi Z, Bellens F, De Doncker P (2013). Food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation Electromagn Biol Med 2013; 32 (3): 315-332.
Show BibTeX
@article{mc_2013_food_collection_and_response_76,
  author = {Cammaerts MC and Rachidi Z and Bellens F and De Doncker P},
  title = {Food collection and response to pheromones in an ant species exposed to electromagnetic radiation},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.3109/15368378.2012.712877},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/15368378.2012.712877},
}
DOI: 10.3109/15368378.2012.712877

Cited By (28 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The researchers used Myrmica sabuleti as the model species.
Exposed ants followed trails for only short distances and no longer arrived at marked areas.
After 180 hours of exposure, the colonies deteriorated.
Exposed ants no longer orientated themselves to a source of alarm pheromone.
The researchers stated that electromagnetic radiation obviously affects social insects' behavior and physiology.