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Tactile Conditioning And Movement Analysis Of Antennal Sampling Strategies In Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

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Published on: December 12, 2012

Nestmate recognition in ants is possible without tactile interaction.

Andreas Simon Brandstaetter¹, Annett Endler, Christoph Johannes Kleineidam

¹Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), University of Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany. brandstaetter@biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de

Die Naturwissenschaften

|March 20, 2008

Summary

Camponotus ants can distinguish nestmates from non-nestmates using chemical cues from a distance. This research shows ants do not need tactile contact for effective nestmate recognition.

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Area of Science:

Chemical ecology
Animal behavior
Insect communication

Background:

Ants rely on chemical cues for social organization.
Nestmate recognition is crucial for colony defense and cohesion.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if Camponotus ants can discriminate nestmates from non-nestmates using chemical cues from a distance.
To determine the role of tactile interaction in ant nestmate recognition.

Main Methods:

Camponotus floridanus workers were exposed to dummies treated with nestmate or non-nestmate postpharyngeal gland (PPG) extracts.
Aggressive behavior (mandibular threat) towards dummies was recorded.
The effect of cis-9-tricosene on recognition was tested.

Main Results:

Workers showed significantly less aggression towards dummies treated with nestmate PPG extracts.
Ants could discriminate nestmates from non-nestmates without antennation (touching).
The synthetic alkene cis-9-tricosene interfered with nestmate recognition.

Conclusions:

Camponotus ants perceive and discriminate complex chemical recognition cues at close range.
Tactile interaction via contact chemosensilla is not essential for nestmate recognition in these ants.
Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles provide vital cues for recognizing colony members.