What do carbohydrate sources primarily fuel for the *Anoplolepis gracilipes* colony activities?
Answer
Foraging flights and movement
Carbohydrate sources, primarily sugars derived from honeydew and nectar, serve as the essential energy currency for the colony's daily operational needs. Specifically, these sugars fuel high-energy demands such as the constant movement required for foraging activities and flights taken by the workers. While proteins and fats are vital for growth, the immediate, continuous energy expenditure associated with colony maintenance and resource gathering is sustained by these readily available carbohydrate inputs. This distinction between energy substrates is crucial for understanding their foraging priorities.
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