The dynamic nature of the activities of the wood ant Formica aquilonia foraging to static food resources within a laboratory habitat

ABSTRACT. A laboratory colony of the wood ant Formica aquilonia (Yarrow) was maintained under strictly controlled feeding regimens. The number of foragers at a particular site is related to the previous provisioning of the colony and the familiarity and accessibility of the resource to foragers. Under a standard regimen a predictable number of ants forage to a known site and display a typical pattern of daily activity. This pattern is examined under stable and changing circumstances. Following food-deprivation individuals increase their foray-frequency and carry larger volumes of sugar solution per foray. On days of critical food-deficit supernumerary workers are recruited. How foragers are directed to a novel food source in unfamiliar territory is examined. Following-behaviour is not involved, neither it appears are pheromones.