2004 Jing Lyman Lecture Series: "Ants at Work" by Prof. Deborah Gordon

"Ants at Work": the organization of social insect colonies

Ant colonies operate without central control. Using only local information, individual ants decide what to do. Colonies must perform various tasks, such as foraging, nest work, and care of the brood, while also responding to changing conditions. Task allocation is the process that allows colonies to adjust the numbers of ants performing each task to the current situation. She will discuss how ant colonies get things done, and why an organization based on the collective work of sterile females tells us nothing about gender in humans.