The foraging activity of some West African cacao farm ants. In: Theobroma v. 12 p. 155-162, 1982.

Abstract

The diel foraging pattern of three important Ghanaian cacao farm ants was monitored on three occasions. The pattern of Tetramorium aculeatum was basically unimodal and nocturnal although foraging sometimes continued into late morning. Cremamogaster depressa activity was largely diurnal during cool dull conditions but became more nocturnal during warmer periods. In areas where these two species co-existed the peak of T. aculeatum activity shifted and foraging time was reduced; C. depressa was unaffected by the presence of T. aculearum. The activity of a third species, Polyrhachis laboriosa, was diurnal and bimodal. It is suggested that in addition to there being a patchwork mosaic of ants in cacao, the trees are foraged by a succession of ants throughout the entire day.