A Response of Worker Ants to Dead Ants of their Own Species

Abstract

A STUDY similar to that reported recently¹ was made last summer into the response of worker ants (Formica fusca) to dead specimens of their own species. The results of this preliminary observation are those averaged over four observation periods. These are presented in Table 1. From this it will be noted that at least two factors influence response: (1) a state of unrest, caused by a disturbance of the nest (for example, by mechanical force; introduction of members of another colony), this action considerably reducing the retreat response; (2) distance of the dead ant from the nest entrance; where this is less than 4 cm. there is a strong response on the first encounter to remove the dead ant.