The influence of red light on the aggregation of two castes of the ant, Lasius niger

Journal of Insect Physiology
Stéphanie DepickèreJean-Louis Deneubourg

Abstract

Insects are generally described as essentially blind to red wavelengths but sensitive to ultraviolet. Therefore, ants are generally reared in nests where "obscurity" is obtained by the use of a red filter. Yet, no study has been done in order to confirm this idea and to verify whether ants behave differently with or without red light. We performed aggregation experiments with the ant Lasius niger under red light and in total darkness to control the sensitivity of workers. Aggregation is a basic behavior associated with the origin of sociality and with the spatial organization of the colony. We demonstrate that L. niger is sensitive to red wavelengths. Moreover, we show that workers behave differently depending on their ethological caste: foragers aggregate well in total darkness but show low assembly under red light, whereas brood-tenders aggregate well in both conditions. For the first time, a link between vision, social organization and spatial patterns is revealed. The results are discussed relative to their adaptive value and relative to the physiology of the workers. Hypotheses are formulated concerning the acquisition of this change of behavior between castes.

References

Feb 5, 1999·Cell and Tissue Research·E P Meyer, V Domanico
May 29, 2003·Journal of Insect Physiology·C R. LazzariT C. Insausti
Jun 11, 2003·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Y Ben-ShaharG E Robinson
Apr 12, 1985·Science·K Fent, R Wehner

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Citations

Oct 23, 2009·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Etienne ToffinJean-Louis Deneubourg
Apr 23, 2010·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Etienne ToffinJean-Louis Deneubourg
Sep 15, 2007·The American Naturalist·Raphaël Jeanson, Jean-Louis Deneubourg
Aug 19, 2008·Journal of Insect Physiology·Stéphanie DepickèreJean-Louis Deneubourg
Jan 29, 2008·Journal of Insect Physiology·Abel Bernadou, Vincent Fourcassié
Mar 8, 2005·Journal of Insect Physiology·Anne-Catherine MailleuxJean-Louis Deneubourg
Oct 11, 2005·Journal of Theoretical Biology·J MillorJ L Deneubourg
Nov 11, 2019·Insects·Daniel SchläppiPeter Neumann
Apr 9, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Olga ShishkovDavid L Hu

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