Queen recognition by brood-rearing workers of the ant Myrmica rubra L.

Abstract

The means by which queens communicate their presence to workers and so influence broodrearing, in particular caste determination, have been analysed; both chemical and topographical stimuli are used. This follows from the fact that though dead inseminated queens are effective, the following are not: dead virgins (same shape but different smell), lipid extracted mature queens (same shape but no smell), parts of inseminated queens alone or together (same smell but different shape). This also rules out a drug-like influence on workers or larvae. The chemicals are not produced in the two main head glands, the mandibular and the pharyngeal, as no loss of potency follows their excision. The abdomen is the most likely source of a substance, the emission of which must vary seasonally.