L. Passera et al., INDIVIDUAL FOOD SOURCE FIDELITY IN THE NEOTROPICAL PONERINE ANT ECTATOMMA-RUIDUM ROGER (HYMENOPTERA-FORMICIDAE), Ethology, ecology and evolution, 6(1), 1994, pp. 13-21
Foragers of the ponerine ant Ectatomma ruidum Roger can be classified
into two behavioural subcastes: prey-hunting and nectar-collecting ant
s. Observations on foraging activities of nectar-collecting workers sp
ecialized on the extrafloral nectaries of the orchid, Spathoglotis pli
cata, were made in a neotropical forest located in Guadeloupe, using m
arked ants. Although foraging activity was mainly diurnal, the activit
y rhythm of these specialized workers showed a shift at the end of the
afternoon, before sunset. Most foragers come back to the nest at this
time but, by contrast, those collecting nectar on orchids increase th
eir activity This increase is linked with the secretion cycle of extra
floral nectaries which exhibit a strong activity at this time. Behavio
ural and ecological implications of the spatial and temporal learning
involved in this food site fidelity are discussed.