Behavioral Biology and Observations of a Statary Eciton Burchelli Army Ant Colony at La Selva Biological Station

Little is known of the ecology and behavioral biology of Eciton burchelli army ants at La Selva biological station, Costa Rica. A statary colony of E. burchelli was followed for seven days in July (wet season). Colony movements were recorded and entered into the La Selva GIS system. Angle of daily raids, velocity of foraging front and distance foraged were recorded. Estimates were made of number of ants in the foraging column and bivouac size. Results are compared with studies of E. burchelli at Corcovado, Costa Rica and Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama. Average distance traveled was similar to that found in Corcovado, but greater than that found at BCI. Daily angle of foraging column from the bivouac appeared random but data were limited. There is much room for further research on the behavioral biology of E. burchelli, particularly at La Selva. Additional work addressing the relation between resource availability and foraging behavior is warranted, as is further work on the communication mechanisms underlying the maintenance of organization and efficiency within army ant swarms.