Distribution, Abundance, and Behavior of the Inquiline Ant Leptothorax diversipilosus1,2

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Abstract
A field survey of the distribution of Leptothorax diversipilosus Smith in Washington was conducted from June 1970 to August 1971. Laboratory studies were conducted from October to January in 1969, 1970, and 1971. L. diversipilosus was previously considered a rare ant guest in the nest of its only known host, Formica obscuripes Forel. F. obscuripes nests were collected from the eight major physiographic areas in Washington and sorted in the laboratory. The inquiline was found in 30% of the nests sampled, and F. haemorrhoidalis Emery was established as a new host record. Only northwestern Washington yielded negative results, although 30 F. obscuripes nests were collected from this area. Throughout the remainder of the State, L. diversipilosus maintained the same range as its host, and it occurred under a wide variety of vegetative, climatic, altitudinal, and soil conditions. Laboratory studies indicated that L. diversipilosus is a xenobiont in the nest of F. obscuripes. L. diversipilosus was never found living alone and was unable to survive without its host. Brood was reared separately from the host brood, although the adults moved freely throughout the host nest. F. obscuripes usually treats the inquiline with indifference and occasionally with slight hostility. However, observations indicated L. diversipilosus can obtain regurgitated food from their hosts either directly from a worker or more often from two workers as they exchanged food. Mating, transportation of adults and larvae, trophallaxis, grooming, and aggressive behavior are described.

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