Ants Their Structure, Development and Behavior, Vol. 9 (Classic Reprint)

Discover the remarkable world of honey ants and how they store and use sweet sustenance in their colonies.

This scientific account surveys several honey ant species, detailing how some workers carry and distribute liquids, the surprising shapes of their nests, and the unique habits that set these ants apart from others. Through field notes and careful observation, the book explains how replete ants function within their communities and what these behaviors reveal about ant biology and ecology.

Written to appeal to both curious readers and specialists, the work blends morphology with ethology to illuminate the varied lives of ants. It describes not only the anatomy of workers and repletes but also how these insects interact with plants, other ants, and their environment. The material moves from North American species to broader comparisons, offering a cohesive view of the dominance and complexity of ants as a group.

• How certain ants distend their gasters with honey and how this storage works anatomically
• The specialized behavior of repletes, including how they hang in nests and how they move
• Natural histories of several species, including Camponotus inflatus and Myrmecocystus forms
• Field observations from central Australia and North American deserts that illustrate ecological roles

Ideal for readers of natural history and entomology who want a clear, detailed look at ant biology and behavior.