Summary
The spatial specialization inLasius fuliginosus was investigated in the field by a mass-marking of foragers with colors. In the spring, summer and autumn, foragers exhibit a high degree of persistence, with coefficients of fidelity between 83 and 96%, in using a particular foraging trail, in visiting a particular tree or shrub housing aphid colonies, and even micro-sites like a particular branch. A high degree of fidelity to particular temporary hunting ground areas has also been shown. Trail and aphid site fidelity persist for at least 1 to 3 months and are preserved through the hibernation period (about 5 months). However, in early spring, a period during which food sources are scarce, trail fidelity is lower (coefficient of fidelity: 57%).
Spatial specialization develops quickly in foragers recruited to a new permanent food source. Once acquired, the specialization is not rigid since specialized honeydew collectors can shift from a no more rewarding aphid site to other aphid sites of the same trail on which they develop a secondary specialization.
The ecological and behavioral aspects of the spatial specialization inL. fuliginosus are discussed with reference to the resource structure of the habitat.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bruyn de G. J., 1978. Food territories inFormica polyctena (Först.).Nether. J. Zool. 28:55–61.
Carroll C. R. and D. H. Janzen, 1973. Ecology of foraging by ants.Annn. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 4:231–257.
Cherix D. and R. Rosengren, 1980. Estimation de la fidélité sur piste et de Page des fourrageuses chezFormica lugubris Zett. dans le Jura suisse, par la méthode de coloration au spray.C. R. UIEIS (Lausanne): 61–69.
Cosens D. and N. Toussaint, 1985. An experimental study of the foraging strategy of the wood antFormica aquilonia.Anim Behav. 33:541–552.
David C. T. and D. L. Wood, 1980. Orientation to trails by a carpenter ant,Camponotus modoc (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in a giant sequoia forest.Can. Ent. 112:993–1000.
Deneubourg J. L., S. Aron, S. Goss, J. M. Pasteels and G. Duerinck, 1986. Random behaviour, amplification processes and number of participants: How they contribute to the foraging properties of ants.Proc. Los Alamos Conf. on Games, Learning and Evolution (New Mexico). Physica, 22D:176–186.
Dlussky G. M., 1965. Protected territory of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Zh. Obshch. Biol. 26:479–489.
Dobrzanska J., 1958. Partition of foraging grounds and modes of conveyings information among ants.Acta Biol. exp. Vars. 18:55–67.
Dobrzanska J., 1966. The control of the territory byLasius fuliginosus Latr.Acta Biol. exp. Vars. 26:193–213.
Fourcassié V., 1991. Landmark orientation in natural situations in the red wood antFormica lugubris Zett. (Hymenoptera Formicidae).Ethol. Ecol. Evol. 3:89–99.
Gordon D. B., R. Rosengren and L. Sundström, 1992. The allocation of foragers in red wood ants.Ecol. Entomol. 17:114–120.
Heie O. E., 1980. The Aphidoidea (Hemiptera) of Fennoscandia and Denmark. I. General Part. The Families Mindaridae, Hormaphididae, Thelaxidae, Anoeciidae, and Pemphigidae.Fauna Entomol. Scand. 9:1–236.
Hennaut-Riche Bl., G. Josens and J. M. Pasteels, 1980. L'approvisionnement du nid chezLasius fuliginosus: pistes, cycles d'activite et spécialisation territorial des ouvrières.C. R. UIEIS (Lausanne): 71–78.
Henquell D. and H. Abdi, 1981. Influence respective des repères visuels et des repères chimiques dans l'orientation deFormica polyctena au cours de l'exploitation d'une source de nourriture.Ins. Soc. 28:47–61.
Herbers J. M., 1977. Behavioural constancy inFormica obscuripes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 70:485–486.
Hölldobler B. and E. O. Wilson, 1990.The Ants. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass. 732 pp.
Mabelis A. A., 1979. Wood ant wars: the relationship between aggression and predation in the red wood ant (Formica polyctena Först.)Neth. J. Zool. 29:451–620.
Mabelis A. A., 1984. Interference between wood ants and other ants species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Neth. J. Zool. 34:1–20.
Oster G. and E. O. Wilson, 1978.Caste and ecology in the social insects. Princeton Univ. Press, Princeton, NJ, XV + 352 pp.
Quinet Y. and J. M. Pasteels, 1991. Spatiotemporal evolution of the trail network inLasius fuliginosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Belg. J. Zool. 121:55–72.
Rosengren R., 1971. Route fidelity, visual memory and recruitment behaviour in foraging wood ants of the genusFormica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Acta Zool. Fenn. 133:1–106.
Rosengren R., 1977a. Foraging strategy of wood ants (Formica rufa group). I. Age polyethism and topographic traditions.Acta Zool. Fenn. 149:1–30.
Rosengren R., 1977b. Foraging strategy of wood ants (Formica rufa group). II. Nocturnal orientation and diel periodicity.Acta Zool. Fenn. 150:1–29.
Rosengren R. and W. Fortelius, 1986. Ortstreue in foraging ants of theFormica rufa group — hierarchy of orienting cues and long-term memory.Ins. Soc. 33:306–337.
Rosengren R. and P. Pamilo, 1978. Effect of winter timber felling on behaviour of foraging wood ants (Formica rufa group) in early spring.Memorabilia Zool. 29:143–155.
Sundström L., 1993. Foraging responses ofFormica truncorum (Hymenoptera; Formicidae); exploiting stable vs spatially and temporally variable resources.Ins. Soc. 40:147–161.
Tilles D. A. and D. L. Wood, 1986. Foraging behaviour of the carpenter ant,Camponotus modoc (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in a giant sequoia forest.Can. Ent. 118:861–867.
Traniello J. F. A., 1989. Foraging strategies of ants.Ann. Rev. Entomol. 34:191–210.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Quinet, Y., Pasteels, J.M. Spatial specialization of the foragers and foraging strategy inLasius fuliginosus (Latreille) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Ins. Soc 43, 333–346 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258407
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258407