Discriminant Analysis between Asian weaver ant Brood and Barrack nests

1. Investigation of Oecophylla smaragdina growth stage development as : incipient immature pre matured and matured colonies based on the number of occupied palm trees over time from first month to about 4-5 years of colony age.
2. Asian weaver ant nest distribution pattern in oil palm trees from selected plantations (Malaysian Palm Oil Board MPOB Teluk Intan, Perak - Universiti Malaya, Felcra, Boustead plantations Kota Tinggi Sg. Arah Johor - )

3. Determination of colonies age by Pearson correlation coefficient and Poisson Probability analysis.

4. Study of the visual distinction between the brood and barrack nests of the Asian weaver ant colonies in the occupied oil palm plantation in South-East Asia (Malaysia-Indonesia). The discriminant analysis DA determined the height from the ground represented the nest location in the palm canopies as being the main factor helping to visually identify the brood from the barrack nests. The brood nest are located at higher position from ground with a range of 6-15 meters and the barracks nests are located at a range of 4 to 5 m in this study. This is done first time. This is in conjunction for future biological control trial on the invasive bagworm species Metisa plana (defoliator) causing serious yield fresh fruit bunches loss with low quality for over two years period.