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Psyche 
[Vol. 92 
Polyergus has been maintained. Also on this site are several artifi- 
cially implanted in-ground Polyergus colonies that use two of the 
available slave species present. In addition, one portable colony of 
Polyergus , encased in a plywood box with a removable cover, was 
used. This colony was kept indoors except during afternoon hours, 
when it was occasionally placed in a fixed location on the site to 
allow raids to occur, and during mating flights, so the activity of the 
reproductives could be monitored. Only colonies using the slave 
species F. schaufussi or F. pallidefulva nitidiventris were used since 
these are the most common in the area. 
In late August, when mating flights of Polyergus were expected to 
begin, female alates were retrieved and labelled as to their colony of 
origin. Those from in-ground colonies were recovered in the morn- 
ing under sun-warmed rocks placed over the nest entrances. Those 
in the portable colony were either removed from inside the nest or 
recovered when they first emerged from the nest after it was placed 
outside. Each was briefly immobilized by cooling, labelled with a 
streak of enamel paint on her gaster, and immediately returned to 
her home nest. There were no observable behavioral effects of the 
labeling process once the subjects were returned to the ambient 
temperature. 
On days when conditions were favorable for mating flights, the 
in-ground colonies were periodically inspected for activity, the por- 
table colony was placed outside and constantly monitored, and the 
site was searched for labelled and mated Polyergus dealates on the 
prowl for appropriate host colonies. Recovered dealates were each 
placed in a 16 X 150mm test tube containing approximately 4cm of 
water held in place with a cotton plug, and were restrained with an 
additional cotton plug. They were then transferred to the laboratory 
and within 24 hours presented with a choice of two host species. In 
an 21.6cm X 29.2cm plastic box were two potential host “colonies”, 
one of F. schaufussi and one of F. pallidefulva nitidiventris. Each 
colony consisted of 20 or 30 pupae, two or three callows, and two 
adult workers, in 16 X 150mm test tube with 4cm of water plugged 
with cotton. The test tubes were a preferred nesting place and once 
established inside, the small group always chose to remain there 
except for foraging, “exploratory” activity, and occasional aggres- 
sive encounters with workers of the alternate species or a Polyergus 
queen. Food of honey-water and Tenebrio larvae were provided. 
