Ontogenetic Analysis of Care Behaviour of Ant Egg Nests

Synopsis

Examines the development of pupal cocoon recognition in the brood-nursing behaviour of ants ('Formica spp.). Shows experimental procedures that purport to demonstrate that 1) recognition is not innate but depends on experience during the first two weeks after adult emergence 2) the worker can be made experimentally to prefer the cocoons of other species 3) the relevant stimuli are both tactile and chemical. The significance for rearing of hetero-specific pupae in slave-making species is very briefly touched upon.

Language

English

Country

France

Medium

Film; Film. 16mm. sd. col. 22 min.

Technical information

Black-and-white / Sound

Year of production

1974

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Uses

Advanced undergraduate courses in insect social behaviour.*

Subjects

Biology

Keywords

animal behaviour; ants; insects

Credits

Producer

P Jaisson

Writer

P Jaisson

Distribution Formats

Type

Film

Format

16mm

Distributor

Name

French Scientific Film Library