Analysis of acoustic communication by ants.

摘要: An analysis is presented of acoustic communication by ants, based on near-field theory and data obtained from the black imported fire ant Solenopsis richteri other sources. Generally stridulatory sounds are barely audible, but they occur continuously in colonies. Because ants appear unresponsive to airborne sound, myrmecologists have concluded that signals transmitted through substrate. However, transmission substrate unlikely, for reasons given paper. Apparently communicate mainly air, receptors hairlike sensilla antennae respond particle sound velocity. This may seem inconsistent with fact (on a scale meters), inconsistency can be resolved if occurs within near field, about 100 mm. In velocity significantly enhanced has steep gradient. These features used exclude extraneous determine direction distance source. Additionally, we observed tracheal air sacs S. expand gaster, possibly amplifying radiation sound.