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Pheromone may induce Brood Tending in the Fire Ant, Solenopsis saevissima

Nature volume 226, pages 863–864 (1970)Cite this article

Abstract

OUR observations of laboratory colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima (F. Smith), suggest that care of the immature forms by the workers might be influenced by secretions from the immature forms. Recognition of the immature forms and their care by workers might thus be associated with these secretions. Watkins and Cole1 noted that worker army ants, Neivamyrmex opacithorax Emery, were attracted to secretions of their larvae and pupae. This letter presents the results of studies we have made on the response of worker fire ants to extracts of their brood.

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References

  1. Watkins, J. F., and Cole, T. W., Texas J. Sci., 18, 254 (1966).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Gulfport, Mississippi, 39501

    B. MICHAEL GLANCEY, C. E. STRINGER, C. H. CRAIG, P. M. BISHOP & B. B. MARTIN

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  1. B. MICHAEL GLANCEY
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  2. C. E. STRINGER
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  3. C. H. CRAIG
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  4. P. M. BISHOP
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  5. B. B. MARTIN
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GLANCEY, B., STRINGER, C., CRAIG, C. et al. Pheromone may induce Brood Tending in the Fire Ant, Solenopsis saevissima. Nature 226, 863–864 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/226863a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/226863a0

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