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Directed aerial descent in canopy ants

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen. P. Yanoviak

    (University of Texas Medical Branch
    University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory)

  • Robert Dudley

    (University of California
    Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

  • Michael Kaspari

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
    University of Oklahoma)

Abstract

Forest ants: take the flight back Many tree-dwelling animals use gliding flight to get from tree to tree, for example flying squirrels, gliders and lemurs. Now similar behaviour has been observed in a wingless insect — the ants of tropical rainforest canopies. Simple experiments and videos show that after jumping or falling off a branch the ants avoid landing on the vegetation or the ground beneath by visually aligning themselves with the ‘home’ tree and gliding backwards to the trunk.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen. P. Yanoviak & Robert Dudley & Michael Kaspari, 2005. "Directed aerial descent in canopy ants," Nature, Nature, vol. 433(7026), pages 624-626, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:433:y:2005:i:7026:d:10.1038_nature03254
    DOI: 10.1038/nature03254
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