NEST-SITE SELECTION BY FIRE ANT QUEENS

We examined nest site selection by foundresses of the polygyne form of Solenopsis invicta. In the laboratorY, foundresses were allowed to ne st in control soil vs. soil inoculated with refuse from a colony of Ph eidole dentata, a natural enemy. In a second experiment foundresses ch ose between control and S. invicta soil. More foundresses (100%) avoid ed the soil of a natural enemy than the soil of a conspecific colony ( 79%) that may accept them into the nest. Foundresses from this polygyn e ant appear to avoid other colonies in general, but avoid heterospeci fic colonies more.