Chapter 5 Colony Odor and Kin Recognition Summary

Kin recognition is described and considered - the ability to recognize colony members is vital to colony success. Colony members must be able to recognize other colony members, including workers, queens, males, and larvae. They must also be able to distinguish between colony and non-colony members of the same species.

Various responses to individual meetings between ants are categorized and discussed. The ability of ants to recognize each other is summarized, along with information on the various methods utilized for kin recognition. The ability of ants to recognize colony brood is examined. The chemical signature (often referred to as the colony odor) of individual colonies is examined and described in detail, along with the mechanisms of odor production and detection of the colony signature. The chemicals used to produce typical colony signatures are...