1966] 
Creighton and Snelling — Camponotus 
195 
jaws closed over the appendage of a pilicornis, the yogi major jerked 
back into the original position ; at the same time the head was 
snapped up and down. This frequently resulted in severing or severe- 
ly mangling the appendage of the attacker. 
It was noted that the Formica so attacked usually retreated in a 
highly agitated manner. Closer observation of the process revealed 
that when the jaws of the yogi major clamped over an attacker’s 
appendage a grayish-white exudate oozed forth from the lower part 
of the major’s head. Creighton (5) noted a similar occurrence in 
the case of C. (Colobopsis) papago, with the remark that the fluid 
came from the mouth. Subsequent examination of the yogi majors 
suggested that in the case of this species, it is exuded from the man- 
dibular bases; individuals which had the hardened material quite 
conspicuous on the mandibles and lower portions of the face showed 
no traces of it in the immediate vicinity of the mouthparts. This 
fluid, when in contact with the integument of ants of other species, 
causes considerable excitation of the individual affected, and, in the 
case of the pilicornis J an immediate retreat from, the conflict. That 
this fluid serves as a defensive repellent seems obvious; whether or 
not it is toxic as well is not yet known. 
The colonies of yogi thus far collected have been rather small ; it 
is doubtful if colonies exceed three hundred individuals. Colony 
no. 1, collected on May 11, contained 27 majors and 165 media and 
minor workers; the queen was not located, but is presumed to have 
been overlooked during the collecting. Colony no. 4, collected on 
September 29, contained 1 queen, 8 males, 54 majors, 90 media and 
minor workers, 51 larvae and 7 pupae (5 c? cf , 2 ?$) ; colony no. 5, 
also taken on September 29, consisted of 1 queen, 1 alate female, 
3 males, 12 majors and 36 media and minor workers, and is the 
smallest colony taken to date. 
The mating flight evidently takes place during late summer. 
Winged sexuals have been taken in the nests in late August and 
September; winged females have been attracted to lights at night in 
Glendale, Los Angeles County, on October 14. 
Literature Cited 
1. Wheeler, W. M., Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 34: 420 (1915) 
2. Creighton, W. S., Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 104: 401 (1950) 
3. Emery, Carlo, Mem. Acad. Sci. Bologna, 5: 761-780 (1896) 
4. Wheeler, W. M., Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 20: 140 (1904) 
5. Creighton, W. S., Psyche, 59, 4: 161 (1952) 
