Beck, J. & Kunz, B.K.

Cooperative self-defence: Matabele ants (Pachycondyla analis) against African driver ants (Dorylus sp.; Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Only few documented cases of cooperative self-defence outside the nest are known in social insects. We report observations of Pachycondyla analis (Latreille, 1802) workers helping each other against attacking epigaeic driver ants (Dorylus sp.) in a West African savannah. The considerably larger P. analis scanned each other's legs and antennae and removed Dorylus clinging to their extremities. In experimentally staged encounters we could reproduce this behaviour.

Open access, licensed under CC BY 4.0. © 2007 The Author(s).

Altruism, interspecific interaction, Ivory Coast, social insects.