1982] 
Holldobler — Cerapachys 
7 
Figure 3. Cerapachys raiding group invading a Pheidole nest. 
effective stinging attack of the Cerapachys, during which the raiders 
grasped the Pheidole with their short mandibles, simultaneously 
bending their gasters forward, so that in each case the tip, where the 
sting extrudes, touched the opponent’s body. Each sequence usually 
lasted less than 1 second. Almost immediately after such an attack 
the Pheidole appeared to be immobilized. Only a few Pheidole 
workers escaped from the nest tube into the arena, some of them 
carrying brood. After approximately 15 minutes almost all Pheidole 
adults in the nest tube were disabled or killed but not a single 
Cerapachys worker was dead or visibly injured. Next the Cera- 
pachys began transporting the dead and immobilized Pheidole 
adults to their own nest. After the first workers of the raiding expe- 
dition had returned and unloaded the booty they returned to the 
Pheidole nest. Some of them raised the gaster repeatedly upwards, 
upon which several additional Cerapachys workers followed them 
to the Pheidole nest, where they participated in the retrieval of the 
prey. Only after most of the Pheidole adults had been retrieved did 
the Cerapachys begin to transport the Pheidole brood. Each larva 
and pupa was briefly stung before it was picked up and carried to 
the Cerapachys colony. Interestingly, after approximately half the 
brood had been retrieved, Cerapachys nest workers began discard- 
ing all the dead and disabled Pheidole adults, and the next day only 
