Skip to main content
Log in

Dependence of necrophoric response to oleic acid on social context in the ant,Pogonomyrmex badius

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The response of the southern harvester ant,Pogonomyrmex badius, to oleic acid was found to depend on social context. Social context was specified as the number of ants engaging in each of five categories of behavior. When a large percentage of the colony is doing midden work or nest maintenance, papers treated with oleic acid are taken to the midden, as previously reported. However, when a large percentage of the colony is foraging or convening, treated papers are taken into the nest as if they were food items.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blum, M.S. 1970. The chemical basis of insect sociality, pp. 61–94,in M. Beroza (ed.). Chemicals Controlling Insect Behavior.

  • Gary, N.E. 1970. Pheromones of the honeybee, pp. 29–53,in D.L. Wood, R.M. Silverstein, and M. Nakajima (eds.). Control of Insect Behavior by Natural Products. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haskins, C.P., andHaskins, E.F. 1974. Notes on necrophoric behavior in the archaic ant,Myrmecia vindex (Formicidae: Myrmeciinae).Psyche 00:258–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, D.F., andTschinkel, W.R. 1976. Aspects of necrophoric behavior in the red fire ant,Solenopsis invicta.Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 56:157–179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, D.F., Blum, M.S., Jones, T.H., andPhillips, D.W. 1982. Defensive adaptations of eggs and adults ofGastrophysa cyanea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 8:453–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, M. 1972. Insect Sex Pheromones. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, D.L., Beattie, A.J., andBollenbacher, W.E. 1979. Evidence for diglycerides as attractants in an ant-seed interaction.J. Chem. Ecol. 5(3):335–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS User's Guide 1979. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, North Carolina.

  • Wilson, E.O. 1963. Pheromones.Sci. Am. 208(5):100–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E.O. 1978. Division of labor in fire ants based on physical castes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Solenopsis).J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 51(4):615–636.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E.O., Durlach, N.I., andRoth, L.M. 1958. Chemical releasers of necrophoric behavior in ants.Psyche 65(4):108–114.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gordon, D.M. Dependence of necrophoric response to oleic acid on social context in the ant,Pogonomyrmex badius . J Chem Ecol 9, 105–111 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987774

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987774

Key words

Navigation