The relation of recruitment rate to activity rhythms in the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus (F. Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The response of a colony of Pogonomyrmex barbatus to bait depends on the activities of the colony at the time bait is offered. Colony activities are temporally patterned within the morning activity period. Both the peak of nest-maintenance work and the onset of the peak of patrolling occur earlier t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 1983-01, Vol.56 (3), p.277-285
Main Author: Gordon, Deborah M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ants
Desert insects
Employee recruitment
Foraging
Formicidae
Insect behavior
Insect colonies
Insect ecology
Insect nests
Middens
Pogonomyrmex barbatus
Worker insects
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Summary:The response of a colony of Pogonomyrmex barbatus to bait depends on the activities of the colony at the time bait is offered. Colony activities are temporally patterned within the morning activity period. Both the peak of nest-maintenance work and the onset of the peak of patrolling occur earlier than the peak of foraging. The rate of recruitment to bait is positively correlated with the numbers of ants engaged in nest-maintenance work and patrolling, but, surprisingly, it is not correlated with the number of ants foraging. Thus the stage in the activity period when bait is offered affects recruitment rate.
ISSN:0022-8567
1937-2353