Summary
During observations in the field, founding queens ofStrumigenys rufobrunea, Serrastruma serrula andSmithistruma emarginata were seen capturing prey and then bringing them back to the nest. These species have an archaic way of colony founding which we studied in the laboratory. It was relatively easy to eraise 10 workers in developing societies ofSerrastruma serrula in 7 months time: other species had slightly fewer workers during the same time. Our particular study was that of prey capture. The queens can locate the prey at a larger distance than the workers. The sequence of capture studied in four situations (small prey, typical prey — active or inert, large prey) are identical to those of the workers. With the exception of the capture of largey prey by the queens of genera with short mandibles (Serrastruma, Smitthistruma), the success rate of capture by the queen is not significantly better than that of the hunting workers in adult societies.
Resume
Des observations effectées dans la nature ont permis de voir des reines fondatrices deStrumigrenys rufobrunea. Serrastruma serrula etSmithistruma emarginata capturer des proies et les ramener au nid. Il y a donc chez ces espèces une fondation archaïque quenous avons étudiée au la boratoire. Le développement des jeunes sociétés en 7 mois permet d'atteindre facilement le stade de 10 ouvriéres chezSerrastruma serrula, un peu moins chez les autres espéces. La capture des proies est particulièrement étudiée. Les reines localisent les proies à une distance supérieure à celle des ouvrières. Les séquences de captures étudiées dans 4 situation (petite proie, proie “Typique” — active au inerte. grosse proie) sont identiques à celles des ouvrières. A l'exception de la capture desgrosdses proies par les reines des genres à mandibules courtes (Serrastruma, Smithistruma), le taux de réussite de capture par les reines n'est pas significativement meilleur que celui des ovrières chasseresses des sociétés adultes.
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Dejean, A. New cases of archaic foundatioin of societies in Myrmicinae (Formicidae): Study of prey capture by queens of Dacetini. Ins. Soc 34, 211–221 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224086
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224086