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Updated: May 23, 2026
10:11
Collection and Long-Term Maintenance of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Atta) in Laboratory Conditions
Published on: August 30, 2022
Do ants need to be old and experienced to teach?
Elizabeth L Franklin1, Elva J H Robinson, James A R Marshall
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UG, UK.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|March 24, 2012
Summary
Ants improve recruitment through experience, not just age. Experienced ants are more likely to lead tandem runs, enhancing colony efficiency and division of labor.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Social insect communication
- Invertebrate learning
Background:
- Learning is common in invertebrates.
- Social insect recruitment strategies are under-explored.
- Tandem running in ants is a potential model for teaching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if ant recruitment via tandem running depends on age or experience.
- To investigate how worker ant age and experience influence participation and efficiency in tandem running.
Main Methods:
- Constructed ant colonies (Temnothorax albipennis) with varying worker age and experience compositions.
- Observed and analyzed participation in tandem running during emigration.
- Compared tandem run leadership, follower roles, speed, dispersal, and orientation based on ant age and experience.
Main Results:
- All worker age groups can participate in tandem running, but experience increases participation.
- Experienced ants, regardless of age, are more likely to lead or follow tandems.
- Young, inexperienced ants lead faster but less accurate tandem runs compared to older, experienced ants.
Conclusions:
- Ant recruitment via tandem running is primarily driven by experience, not age.
- Experience and stimulus threshold responses likely create a division of labor in recruitment.
- This division of labor ensures efficient and appropriate participation in tandem running for colony needs.
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