Mutual exclusion by dolichoderine ants on a rich food source

TitleMutual exclusion by dolichoderine ants on a rich food source
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsVan Zee J, Whitford WG, Smith W.E
JournalSouthwestern Naturalist
Volume42
Pagination229-231
Date Published1997
Keywordsant colonies, ant species, chemical repellents, food baits, food reserves, food source, formicine, Fornelius pruinosus, honeypot ants, Interference competition, Myrmecocystus spp., physical dolichoderine ant
Abstract

Some species of ants recruit rapidly to rich food sources and may exclude other species from that food source (Holldobler and Wilson, 1990). These ant species interfere with other ant species by using chemical repellents or by physical means. For example, the dolichoderine ant Fornelius pruinosus usually displaces the formicine honeypot ants, Myrmecocystus spp., at food baits (Holldobler, 1982). Interference competition should be most intense where densities of ant colonies are high and when food reserves are limited.
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