Ant macronutrient preferences in the field

Laboratory studies have shown that ants possess a remarkable ability to simultaneously regulate colony-level intake of multiple micro- and macronutrients. Since the identification of carbohydrate intake regulation in colonies of Rhytidoponera sp., numerous studies characterized ants’ intake regulation of various other nutrient, including protein, lipid, and minerals, alone or in interaction. This body of work has provided invaluable knowledge but the nutritional state of ants maintained in laboratories can be very different compared to that of ants from the field. This difference is important given that nutritional state is a key driver of nutrient foraging preferences. Here we present field experiments, conducted in Texas, that characterize ant macronutrient preferences in the field. Specifically, we recorded ant recruitment to suites of protein powders, carbohydrate solutions, and vegetable oils. Our results show strong differences in recruitment within macronutrient classes. We discuss the importance of the type of protein, digestible carbohydrate, and fatty-acid content on ant foraging behavior in the field.