BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES OF ANTS AT CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF FOOD MOTIVATION

Learning of ants was studied in a symmetrical multi-choice maze at dif ferent levels of food ''social'' motivation, A capability was shown of scout ants Myrmica rubra for changing rapidly behavioral strategy whe n the motivation level of a family changed from the low one for the hi gh or vice versa. In the satiated state the ants demonstrated a clear- cut research activity. This activity was associated with high variabil ity and instability of the maze habit. In the ''hungry'' State movemen t trajectories were rapidly minimized, the majority of ants used one d ominant scheme of moving. Initial level of motivation determined the p eculiarities of and learning and ability to transform behavioral strat egies.