Leaf catching in Atta leafcutting ants: discrete cache formation through positive feedback

Article Abstract:

The occurrence, mechanism and costs and benefits of leaf caching were examined in laboratory colonies of leaf cutting ants. Positive feedback was found to be important in the formation of nest entrance caches, and cached pieces were more likely to be retrieved than noncached pieces. Flexible nest entrance caching may be an adaptive response to fluctuating food availability.

Research, Insect-plant relationships

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Leaf caching in the leafcutting ant Atta colombica: organizational shift, task partitioning and making the best of a bad job

Article Abstract:

Research is presented concerning the factors which influence the leaf caching behaviour of leafcutting ants at the entrance to the nest site and along the foraging trail. The advantages and disadvantages of caching are discussed.

Food and nutrition, Insects

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Conditioning of scouts and recruits during foraging by a leaf-cutting ant, Atta colombica

Article Abstract:

The conditioning of foraging scouts and recruits of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta colombica, affects the relative acceptability of plant resources to be harvested. Scouts show rapid recruitment behavior when they encounter a patch with familiar resources. Workers recruited on a mixed patch also prefer to harvest familiar resources. When treated to two unfamiliar plant species, Aphelandra golfodulcensis and Caryocar costaricense, they accept the latter after a delay of up to 24 hours. Colonies familiar with A. golfodulcensis continue to harvest it, despite 48 hours exposure to C. costaricense.

Observations, Conditioned response, Conditioned responses

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