Ecology and behavior of Gnamptogenys horni (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

In order to examine social behavior in the little-studied ponerine ant genus Gnamptogenys, detailed observations were made on captive colonies of G. horni. Compilation of a behavioral repertory gave evidence of age-based division of labor, with old ants more likely to forage and young ants more likely to tend brood. Workers were observed to line the walls of their nests with pieces of old cocoons, a behavior referred to as wallpapering and previously known from only one other ant species. Evidence was obtained for the use of trail recruitment pheromones in foraging and in nest-moving. Examination of prey remains in natural nests indicated that G. horni feeds principally on a wide variety of ants, but also on other arthropods.