TRAIL-LAYING BEHAVIOUR OF THE CARPENTER ANT,CAMPONOTUS PENNSYLVANICUS(HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

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Abstract
Camponotus pennsylvanicus(De Geer) workers concentrate their foraging efforts in the vicinity of a new food source. Experiments with artificial “trees” confirm that these ants lay chemical trails when they locate food and under other circumstances. Marks left by ants travelling over smoked paper indicate that the trail consists of a series of streaks, sometimes variable in length, and that ants following trails make regular alternate deviations. Trails are laid extensively in the immediate vicinity of food. A trail is not reinforced by all gorged workers passing over it.The trails activate other workers and provide a means of orientation but are clearly non-directional. A bioassay with various organs indicated that the hind gut is the source of the trail substance.When a strong direct light is available, attention to trails dwindles and ants eventually use light orientation to reach the food, often following more direct routes at that time. Physical contact between workers may activate them but provides no directional information and may lead to temporary disorientation.