While in Arizona, I chanced upon a set of ant fights that I’d observed several times previously. Single workers of the maricopa harvester ant Pogonomyrmex maricopa would approach a nest of their competitor, Aphaenogaster long-legged ants, and spend a few minutes drawing heat from the guards before wandering off.
The interaction is common enough that it really couldn’t be just a chance encounter. Are the Pogos doing this for a reason? Are they distracting the Aphaenogaster from foraging? And, are there any myrmecology students in Arizona who need a little research project? It’d be great to figure out the purpose of the fights.
photo details (all photos): Canon mp-e 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS 50D
ISO 100, f/13, 1/250 sec, twin flash diffused through tracing paper
Interesting observations and great action shots! If these competing ants are active for the same parts of the day, I wonder if the Pogos are scouting out rival colonies’ activity at certain times? Would make an interesting little project, that’s for sure.
whow, these are the action shots that make a heart thumb faster. Very sweet observation and nicely caught onto the digital film.
Couldn’t the behaviour be like testing “the lines” ? Like if there is little resistance, it’s good to attack, else back off ? I thought there were a few insectspecies around that use that tactic.
Great blog with some kill pictures! Can’t say I have seen ants so up close in my life! Keep up the great work!
Johnny
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