The Social Insect Behavior Ontology (SIBO) was created by Chris Smith. This ontology will eventually be integrated into the NBO ando contains collected terms for Chemical, Anatomy, Behavior, Species. The most developed use cases are for Pogonomyrmex harvester ant foraging and apis mellifera honeybee colony defense.
Profile of ant-derived compounds in silica gel nesting material.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Glycerol Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-2: Water extraction with derivatization. Compound Name-2: Glycerol Source of Standard-2: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Urea. Source of Standard: Alfa Aesar.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 2-Quinolinecarbixylic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
2S6R-2-me-6-heptylpiperidine (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Secondary perception and discrimination or identification
Anterior tentorial pits- A pair of pits of impressions located anteriorly on the dorsal surface of the head, at or very close to the posterior clypeal margin. The pits indicate the points of attachment of the anterior arms of the internal skeleton (tentorium) of the head to head capsule. The termination of the posterior arms of the tentorium are marked by a pair of posterior tentorial pits, which are located close to the occipital foramen (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Basal angle/ lamella/ margin tooth- See Mandibles (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222.)
Basal angle/ lamella/ margin tooth- See Mandibles (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Diastema- See Mandibles (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Frontal carinae- A pair of longitudinal ridges on the head, located dorsally behind the clypeus and between the antennal sockets. They are very variable in the length and strength of development, frequently being short and simple but sometimes extending back to the occipital margin of the head. In some groups the frontal carina are vestigial or absent, but elsewhere they may be strongly developed or form the dorsal margins of extensive antennal scrobes. Commonly the frontal carinae anteriorly are expanded into progecting lobate extensions, the frontal lobes, which partially or entirely cover and conceal the antennal sockets. Frontal lobes may be the only expression of the frontal carinae in some groups. Sometimes the portions of the torulus closets to the cephalic midline is raised and expanded into a small, laterally projecting lobe, which may extend beyond the lateral margin of the frontal carina or lobe. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Fronto-clypeal suture- The suture forming the posterior margin or boundary of the clypeusl frequently referred to as the posterios clypeal margin. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Frontal triangle- A small triangular patch of the cuticle located mediodorsally on the head immediately behind the clypeus and approximately between the antennal sockets or anterior parts of the frontal carinae in many ant taxa. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Gena- Area of front of head bounded in front by the posterior margin of he clypeus, behind by the anterior margin of the eye, and medially by the antennal socket. The gena thus includes part of the cephalic dorsum and the side of the head capsule between the eye and the clypeus. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Apical margin/tooth- See Mandibles (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Antenna- The antenna in ants consists of an elongate basal segment, the scape, followed distally by 3-11 smaller segments which together constitute the funiculus (=flagellum), giving a total antennal segement count (=antennomere count) of 4 to12. The scape articulates with the head in the antennal socket (=antennal insertion), a foramen located behind the clypeus. The antennal socket itself is enriched by a narrow annular sclerite, the torulus, and may be overhung and concealed by the frontal lobe. At the base of the scape is a ball-like condylar bulb (=articulatory bulb), the part which actually articulates within the socket. Just distal of the condylar bulb is a short constriction of neck, which may be straight or curved, beyond which the scape shaft proper commences. The funicular segments may be filiform or the apical 1-4 may be enlarged to form a club. See also frontal carinae, torulus. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
A groove, impresison, or excavation in the sie of the head, which runs above or below the eye, to accomidate at least the antennal scape, but often the entire antenna, when the latter folded back. Antennal scrobes vary in development form simple broad shallow groves to extensive deep trenches. Antennal scrobes are abesent from most any genera.
Second visible tagma of an ants body following the head. Morphologically the Alitrunk consists of the three segments of the true thorax (pro-, meso-, and metathorax) to which is fused the propodeum, the tergite of the first abdominal segment to form a signal unit. See also Abdomen, Propodeum, Thorax. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Antennal socket/ insertion- See Antenna (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Helcium- The very reduced and specialized presclerites of abdominal segment 3, which form a complex articulation within the posterior foramen of the petiole. In general the helcium is mostly or entirely concealed within the posterior orifice of the petiole, but in certain groups it is partly visible. Disarticulation of abdominal segments 2 and 3 is necessary to examine the structure and its variation in detail. See also Abdomen. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Femur- The third segment of any leg, counting from the basal coxal segment that articulates with the alitrunk. The femur is generally the longest leg segment and is separted from the coxa only by a small segment, the trochanter. Leg segments- Each leg consists of a basal coax that articulated with the alitrucnk, followed in order by a small trochanter, a long and generally stouct fentur, a tibia, and a tarsus, the last consisting of five small segments and terminating apically in a pair of claws. The prefixes pro-, meso-, and meta-, applied to any of these terms, indicate that segment on the left of a particular thoracic segment. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Clypeus- Anterior sclerite of the dorsal head, bounded posteriorly by the fronto-clypeal suture, which is also very commonly called the posterior clypeal margin or border. The anteriof clypeal margin usually forms the anterior margin of the head in full-face biew (but a projection of the labrum may be anterior to the clypeus in some taxa). The body of the clypeus consists of a pair of lateral portions, or narrow bands of cuticle, on each side of a shield-like median portion. The median portion of the clypeus may be equipped with one or more longitudinal carinae, or may be variously specialized in shape. Posteriorly the median portion of the clypeus may end in form of the antennal sockets/frontal carinae or lobes, or may project backwards between them. In some taxa the clypeus is very reduced and extremely narrow from front to back. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Mandibles- The appendages with which ants manipulate their environment. They are very variable in shape, size, and dentition, and extremely important in ant taxonomy. Margins- In full-face view, with the mandibles closed, the inner margin or border (closest to an anterior extension of the midline of the head) of each mandibular blade is the apical margin (masticatory margin), and is usually armed with teeth. Proximally, close to the anterior margin of the clypeus, the apical margin usually passes through a basal angle into a transverse or oblique basal margin. The two margins may join through a broad or narrow curve, or meet in an angle or tooth. When the mandibles are narrow of linear, the distinction between the apical and basal margins may be lost by obliteration of the basal angle. The external margin (lateral margin) of each mandible forms its outer border in full-face view and may be straight, sinuate, or convex. Dentition- The aprical margin of each mandible is usually armed with a series of teeth or denticles (short or very reduced acute teeth) or both, which generally run the length of the apical margin. If teeth alone are present, or a combination of teeth and denticles, the mandible is denate. If only tiny dentricles occur the mandible is denticulate, and if the margin lacks armament it is edentate. A natural gap in a row of teeth is a diastema and an elongate mandible with an uninterrupted series of teeth may be described as serially dentate. Teeth are usually sharp and triangular in shape but may be rounded, long, narrow, and spine-like, or peg-like. Reduced teeth or dentivles that occur between full-sized teeth are intercalary. In general the first, distalmost, or apical tooth, the one farthest away from the anterior clypeal margin, is the largest on the apical margin, although in some taxa medial or basal teeth may be the largest. The tooth at or near of the basal angle is the basal tooth the tooth immediately behind the apical may be termed the preapical, though this term may be (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Pronotum- See Tergite (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Petiole- The second abdominal segment immediately following the alitrunk, which is usually reduced and always isolated. Generally the petiole takes the form of a node or of a scale of varying shape and size, but in some taxa it may be very reduced, represented by only a narrow, subcylindrical segment that may be overhung and concealed by the gaster. The petiole bears the second abdominal spiracle and usually consists of a distinct tergite and sternite. The former may have differentiated laterotergites low down on the side. In some groups the petiolar tergite and sternite have fused together. See also Abdomen, Peduncle. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Hypopygium- The sternite of abdominal segment 7; the terminal visible gastral sternite. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Presclerite- A distinctly differentiated anterior section of an abdominal sclerite, separated from the remainder of the sclerite by a ridge, constriction, or both. In the ant abdomen it is usual for the posterior portion of each sclerite to overlap the anterior portion of the following segment. The overlapped area usually lacks sculpture and pilosity, but the absence of these features alone does not constitute a presclerite. Presclerite derived from tergites are termed pretergites, those from sternites, presternites. The remainder of each sclerite, posterior to these developments, is the postsclerite and may be termed posttergite and poststernite, respectively. The presclerites of abdominal segment 3 form a very specialized articulateio with the posterior end of abdominal segment 2, termed the helicum. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Natural chemicals released by an organism that affect the behaviors of other individuals
Compounds consisting of carbon and hydrogen only.
Foraging is an individual behavior that creates emergent patterns. Depends on resource availability, travel time, conflict with neighbors and predators. Return of patrollers determines whether the forgers will be active at all that day.
Oxoacids having the structure RC=(=O)OH. The term is used as a suffix in systematic name function to denote the -C(=O)OH group including its carbon atom.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 13-Methylheptacosane. Source of Standard: Ant extraction. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in plastic tray or Petri dish. Analysis Method-2: Pentane extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-2: 13-Methylheptacosane. Source of Standard-2: Ant extraction. Sample Type-3: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-3: Pyridiene extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-3: 13-Methylheptacosane Source of Standard-3: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 3-Methylheptacosane. Source of Standard: Ant extraction. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in plastic tray or Petri dish. Analysis Method-2: Pentane extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-2: 3-Methylheptacosane. Source of Standard-2: Ant extraction. Sample Type-3: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-3: Pyridiene extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-3: 3-Methylheptacosane Source of Standard-3: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 13a, 15-Dimethylheptacosane. Source of Standard: Ant extraction. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in plastic tray or Petri dish. Analysis Method-2: Pentane extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-2: 13, 15-Dimethylheptacosane. Source of Standard-2: Ant extraction. Sample Type-3: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-3: Pyridiene extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-3: 13, 15-Dimethylheptacosane Source of Standard-3: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: n-Heptacosane. Source of Standard: Ant extraction. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in plastic tray or Petri dish. Analysis Method-2: Pentane extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-2: n-Heptacosane Source of Standard-2: Ant extraction. Sample Type-3: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-3: Pyridiene extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-3: n-Heptacosane Source of Standard-3: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Benzoic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Malic Acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Malonic Acid. Source of Standard: Alfa Aesar. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in bottles or vials Analysis Method-2: Water extracton with derivatization. Compound Name-2: Malonic Acid Source of Standard-2: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Uric acid. Source of Standard: MP Biomedicals, Inc.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Gluconic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Azelaic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Stearic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Hexadecanoic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Suberic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Aspartic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 3-Methylglutaric acid. Source of Standard: MP Biomedicals, Inc.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Methylmaleic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Phosphoric acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in bottles or vials Analysis Method-2: Water extracton with derivatization. Compound Name-2: Phosphoric acid. Source of Standard-2: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Lactic acid. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in bottles or vials Analysis Method-2: Water extracton with derivatization. Compound Name-2: Lactic acid. Source of Standard-2: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Succinic acid. Source of Standard: MP Biomedicals, Inc.
Sample Type: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method: Pyridine extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name: trans-2-methyl-6-(cis-4-tridecenyl)piperidine. Source of Standard: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method: Pyridine extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name: trans-2-methyl-6-n-pentadecylpiperidine. Source of Standard: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method: Pyridine extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name: trans-2-methyl-6-(cis-6-pentadecenyl)piperidine. Source of Standard: Ant extraction.
Sample Type: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method: Pyridine extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name: trans-2-methyl-6-n-tridecylpiperidine. Source of Standard: Ant extraction.
Carboxylic acids containing one or more amino groups.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Alanine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Glycine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Serine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: N-acetylglycine. Source of Standard: MP Biomedicals, Inc.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name:Threonine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Glutamine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Phenylalanine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: Tyrosine. Source of Standard: Sigma-Aldrich.
Chemical substances that benifits the emitter but not the reciever (e.g. venom secreted by social wasps).
El-Sayed AM. The Pherobase:Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals
Chemicals that mediate interaction, benefits both the receiver and the emitter.
Chemicals that are not naturally produced by the organism but found to be attractive in either field or laboratory experiments.
Chemical substances that benefits the emitter but not the reciever (e.g. host location by beneficial insects).
Anabaseine (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Patrollers influence foraging direction by depositing chemical secretions on the nest mound. Scout the nest mound with their abdomens tucked under their bodies (Gordon 1991). The secretions from the poison gland and the Dufour's gland exit from the stinger apparatus located in the abdomen. Dufour's gland secretions have been implicated in a variety of functions, including being territorial markers and propaganda pheromones used by parasitic ants. In Pogonomyrmex, Dufour's gland contents are composed mainly of species-specific blends of hydrocarbons. Poison gland secretions have been shown to act as sex pheromones and trail pheromones in ants.
4me-7-3Kt (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM
The Pherobase - Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM
Me-4me-pyrrole-2-carboxylate (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Crematofuran (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
5-pentylresorcinol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
5-propylresorcinol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
3-pentylphenol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Mellein (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
3-propylphenol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
3,4-dihydro-8-hydroxyisocoumarin (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
3-heptylphenol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Isocrematofuran (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
5-heptylresorcinol (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
2-phenylpropenal (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
1-17Hy-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
1-19Hy-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Z1-17Hy-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Z1-19Hy-1,3,5-trihydroxycyclohexane (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Y11E13E15Z18Z20-1-hydroxy-25Ac (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
The Pherobase- Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM
Gamma-decalactone (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Iridomyrmecin (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
El-Sayed AM:The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals
5me-6-3Kt (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Benzaldehyde (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
2-phenyl-2-butenal (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
3-hexyl-5me-indolizine (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Trans-2-butyl-5-heptylpyrrolidine (The Pherobase: Database of Insect Phermones and Semiochemicals:El-Sayed AM.
Sample Type: Silica gel with excreta. Analysis Method: No extraction with derivatization. Compound Name: 3.9-Dimenthylheptacosane. Source of Standard: Ant extraction. Sample Type-2: Silica gel in plastic tray or Petri dish. Analysis Method-2: Pentane extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-2: 3.9-Dimenthylheptacosane. Source of Standard-2: Ant extraction. Sample Type-3: Silica gel in bottles or vials. Analysis Method-3: Pyridiene extraction w/o derivatization. Compound Name-3: 3.9-Dimenthylheptacosane Source of Standard-3: Ant extraction.
Postpetiole- The third abdominal segment. In strict usage the term should only be applied when the third abdominal segment is reduced and separated from the petiole in front and the fourth abdominal segment behind. See also Abdomen (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Spiracle- An orifice of the tracheal system by which gases enter and leave the body. Ants have 9 or 10 spiracles on each side of the body. The prothoracic spiracles have been lost, so the first opening occurs on the mesothroax. (Bolton, B. (1994). Identificstion guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University PRess. pp.1-222).
Path of Patrolling: 1. Patrollers emerge at sunrise 2. Stroll around nest mound 3. Inspect ground with antenna 4. Deposite Dufour's gland 4. Tuck abdomen under thorax 5. Travel directly out on a stream of foragers
Foragers recognize returning patrollers during brief antennal contacts by detecting cues in task-specific cuticular hydrocarbons (Green and Gordon 2003).
Foragers travel from the nest in streams, or trails, and then fan out to individually search for seeds (Gordon 1991). Trails extend radially from edge of nest mound, with 1 m diameter. Trail is formed in a fan shaped region. Trails very day to day. Each colony chooses from up to eight distinct foraging trails. Direction varies in response to overlap with foragers of neighboring colonies. Foragers tend to travel in the direction from which most patrollers return.
Predation leads to quick return for patrollers to nest.