Cuticular hydrocarbons inform task decisions

Article Abstract:

It is shown that cuticular hydrocarbons are used by workers of the red harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) to recognize the tasks of the ants that they encounter. The two task groups of a mature colony of the red harvester ant that are focussed, which are the foragers, who collect food and the patrollers, who scout the foraging area each morning, and their behavior is examined.

Hydrocarbon research, Pogonomyrmex, Harvester ants

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'Devil's gardens' bedevilled by ants: An ant species uses herbicidal weaponry to secure its own niche in the Amazonian rainforest

Article Abstract:

The ant Myrmelachista schumanni, which nests in Duroia hirsuta stems, creates devil's gardens, which are large stands of trees in the Amazonian rainforest, by poisoning all plants except its host plants with formic acid. By killing these other plants, M. schumanni provides its colonies with abundant nest sites, a long-lasting benefit as colonies can live for 800 years.

Behavior, Environmental aspects, Ants, Rain forests

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Control without hierarchy

Article Abstract:

Most systems work with hierarchical control but some biological systems operate without it. The author studies working of ant colonies to find general principles ruling non-hierarchical systems.

United States, Design and construction, Physiological regulation, Biological control systems, Biological systems

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