Group-level Exploration Tactics in Fire Ants

This paper reports on an investigation of the patrolling system of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis inuicta. Most research on the behavior of ants outside the nest has been concerned with foraging, the search for and retrieval of food. Patrolling or scouting behavior in ants has not received as much attention, but it has been observed in several species (e.g. HoLLDOBLER, 1981; H6LLDOBLER & LUMSDEN, 1980). For example, in harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.), patrollers are a distinct class of individuals that inspect the area immediately surrounding the nest and foraging trails, and respond to new food sources and disturbances (GORDON, 1984, 1987); they will also defend the nest against intruders