Polyergus: the slave-making ant [la hormiga amazona europea]

The european amazon ant makes expeditions to bring to its nest pupas of other species that will become its slaves. Before begining the march, the amazon ants have an excitation phase one meter around the nest, without any orientation. In 10 or 15 minutes several hundred workers initiate a long march in straight line that can overtake 50 meters. In some moment the marching group stops and Polyergus rufescens' red ants begin to look for Formica' nests. Once a nest is found, the attack starts. After a while, amazon ants take out hundred of pupas that will be carried to their own nest, at the entrance of which their black formica slaves are waiting for.

Autor: José María Gómez Durán

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Ants
• slave-making
• expeditions
• Polyergus
• rufescens

[PreppyPoser1]

Personally I want a lab where I can watch the slave ants in action against the native ants of my home. ;)

[josemarygd]

It would be great ¡¡

[soundlister]

Great clip and good description, thanks.

[josemarygd]

Thank you very much,

José M. Gómez Durán

[robomantis]

I'm starting a slave maker ant colony! :-D I have 1 pupa and a nice cluster of eggs for her. The slaves a boosted her with are doing a good job of careing for her :-D

[josemarygd]

It may be difficult to keep these kind of ants. Good luck ¡

José M. Gómez Durán

[josemarygd]

Thank you both stealthant and VictoryVictoria. In deed I was surprised with the so little defense made by the black Formicas fusca in my observations. The defense behaviour described by stealthant is great. This summer I have again enjoyed with Polyergus incursions. I think it is still a mystery the way they decide when beging marching in straigt line. Is it sure that it always depends on previous explorer ants? Are there leaders in the column? Do they know the exact point to stop the journey?

[stealthant]

In Ontario we have raiding ants too. Like what VictoryVictoria said, that the onces found in WI and ON are probably Formica subintegra but I'm no expert. In my teen years I was fascinated with ants. I watched countless raids in late summers. The black ants however put up a much larger defence then in this vid, but usually always lost. Often the black ants would create a circle about three inches to a foot wide (depending on their numbers) as a defence around their main entrance, but to avail.