The development of defensive behavior against predation by army ants.

The development of defensive reaction in the ant Novomessor albisetosus against predation by army ants is studied in the laboratory and field. Two clusters of behavior emerge: escape with or without the brood, and aggressive defense. Escape develops specifically as a reaction against army ants and not in the presence of other ant species. Other behaviors develop with varying degrees of specificity toward army ants. All behaviors develop with age in workers isolated from experience with army ants. However, evidence is presented suggesting that experience with army ants alters the course of this development.