ODOR LEARNING AND DECISION-MAKING DURING FOOD COLLECTION IN THE LEAF-CUTTING ANT ACROMYRMEX-LUNDI

Recruited workers of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex lundi learn the o dour of the food fragment initially carried by a successful scout, and use this cue as a decision criterion during food collection. Citral, a natural deterrent odour, can also be associated as a food signal, sh owing how powerful olfactory learning is in this species. The role of both food-odour learning and a previously reported leaf-marking pherom one during diet selection by leaf-cutting ants is discussed.