Communication between the fungus garden and workers of the leaf‐cutting ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa, regarding choice of substrate for the fungus

摘要: Summary Bait made from orange peel, containing the fungicide cycloheximide, was initially harvested by workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel) and incorporated into fungus garden as substrate for fungus. The bait subsequently rejected worker ants days later. Exposure to in laboratory sub-colonies, resulted being ‘stressed’. By interchanging normal with ‘stressed’ garden, a change foraging behaviour evident. –Two hypotheses explain behavioural changes were tested: volatile semiochemical is produced which affects foragers directly, or contact between (and garden) necessary information regarding fungal be transmitted through force. When pairs sub-colonies connected (one colony each pair exposed cycloheximide bait) prevented passing one other, continued forage on while other did not. both colonies allowed make full then failed accept bait. This discounted first hypothesis, but supported second, highly chemical should able diffuse colonies. large making second colony, may communicated smaller workers.