Foraging pattern, colony distribution, and foraging range of the Florida harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex badius

Journal Article · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1941503· OSTI ID:5859156

Harrison, J S ^[1]; Gentry, J B; Aiken, S C

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1. Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

This report describes the foraging pattern of the Florida harvester ant Pogonomyrmex badius in a high-density population of colonies. The foraging pattern has both promoted and been influenced by the colony distribution. Pogonomyrmex badius forages from short trails which extend into a surrounding foraging range. Direction of foraging trails is influenced by the location of a colony's near neighbors. Seasonal nest relocations always occur along a foraging trail, usually the main trail. Foraging ranges are not actively defended, but are used almost exclusively by foragers from a single colony. Foraging ranges will be extended into an area abandoned by neighboring foragers, indicating that forager presence may define each colony's range. Colony distribution has remained essentially the same for several years, despite seasonal nest relocations and addition of new colonies. Establishment of trails and exclusive foraging ranges by each colony minimizes encounters with neighboring foragers and guarantees access to available resources; this pattern also promotes maintenance of the existing colony distribution and partitioning of resources.

• OSTI ID: 5859156
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 62:6; ISSN ECOLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100* -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
BEHAVIOR
COMPETITION
ECOSYSTEMS
FOOD
FORAGE
HABITAT
INSECTS
INVERTEBRATES
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SOUTH CAROLINA
SOUTHEAST REGION
USA