Buschinger, A.

Nest relocation in the ant Myrmecina graminicola (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Nest relocation behaviour of Myrmecina graminicola (Latreille, 1802) is described for the first time. In laboratory conditions, the colonies were prompted to move from one nest site to another at a distance of about 20 cm. Obstacles in the arena forced the emigration to proceed via an indirect route. After removal of the obstacles during the relocation the ants continued to proceed along the pre-formed path for 10 minutes, evidently guided by a pheromone trail. No nest scouting, invitation, worker carrying, tandem running or other recruitment behaviour was observed. With the exception of brood all colony members walked to the new nest, including alate sexuals and the queen.

Open access, licensed under CC BY 4.0. © 2010 The Author(s).

Myrmecina graminicola, nest relocation, trail pheromone.