THE CASTE-SYSTEM AND SOCIAL REPERTOIRE OF CATAGLYPHIS-FLORICOLA (HYMENOPTERA-FORMICIDAE)

Cataglyphis floricolais an ant species from the Southern Iberian Penin sula; its most striking feature is that it collects petals as an impor tant part of its diet. The caste system is based upon a monophasic pol ymorphism of workers, displayed over a short span of size variation. T here is also a slight polymorphism between queen and workers. The numb er of acts identified in the workers' repertoire is 40, none of which is particularly unusual in other ant repertoires, except those related to petal transport and consumption. The queen's repertoire is similar to that of other ants of the higher subfamilies, with a high proporti on of inactivity and a passive behaviour in social interactions.