Queen attractivity in the Argentine ant Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr).

The origin of queen attractivity in the Argentine ant was estimated by presenting body parts (head, thorax, abdomen) of dead queens to workers. Whatever the preparation, crushed or intact, the thorax was always significantly more attractive than other parts of the body. The legs seemed to be highly attractive to the workers, mainly through lactile stimuli. The results are discussed with regards to the occurrence of thoracic glands.