Predation of ants and termites by army ants, Nomamyrmex esenbeckii (Formicidae, Ecitoninae). in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

In four different localities in the Brazilian Amazon we registered raids of army ants (Nomamyrmex esenbeckii). The prey were ants of the genera Atta, Odontomachus and Camponotus and termites of the genus Nasutitermes. The behavior of the army ant and its prey were registered. Our observations expand the number of prey recorded in the literature. It is possible that the dietary regime of these army ants is more flexible than previously believed and is related to food availability.