Ask An Entomologist: Slave Maker Ants
June 7th, 2008 by Kelley
Randy Asks:
“This past weekend, while insect collecting in Reidsville NC, I came across ants carrying other ants. Now each of the ants appeared to be about the same size. All appeared to be carrying other ants and they were all heading in the same general direction. Given my curious nature, I took a stick and separated a few of the sets. Each of the two ants quickly found each other again and one of the two assumed a fetal position while the other picked it up and then went along its way. I read a little over the weekend about slavery especially in a pupa state and slavery with other ants but the size difference was expected to be greatly different. Each appears to be the same species but, at my age vision isn’t great. I did go back two days and the frenzy continued. Pretty neat! Anyway, I was able to collect several sets. Maybe you could identify or direct me to where I can learn more? I am going to take these to work and see if I can identify using the scope and by book by Fisher & Cover.”
Ant behavior is actually very complex and way cool. You may have observed slave maker ants. Slave making ants oppress other species of ants and make them sustain their own colony. Slave makers use 2 different methods to take over another colony. They either raid the colony and take the eggs and pupae or the slave making queen will go into the other colony and kill the resident queen and take over.
The slaves support their masters by providing food, tending to the queen, and raising the young. The slaves literally do all the work…even carry their masters if they move the colony. This may be what you observed, Randy. The literature I have read suggests that captors make slaves out of closely related species of ants. So, I don’t know that there would always be a size difference like what you read about.
Photo by Alex Wild at Myrmecos.net
Now if they were indeed the same species than it could be ants of the same colony engaging in nestmate transportation. Alex over at Mrymecos.net may be able to add his two cents to this post as I am sure he is much more knowledgeable in ant behavior than I am.