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ERIKA H DAWSON
UNPACKING
When Lasius ants detect that a pupa is infected with a fungus pathogen, they perform a behaviour known as destructive disinfection. Here they unpack the pupa from its cocoon, bite and spray it with formic acid to prevent the infection from spreading to other members in the nest. Read more about this here.
Cocooned vs Unpacked Pupae
A fully cocooned pupa next to an unpacked pupa
Unpacking in Action
A worker unpacks a queen pupa
Unpacked Queen Pupa 1
A queen has been unpacked. Note how she is much lighter than the previous queen. This is a much younger pupa who has not yet melanized.
Cocooned vs Unpacked Pupae
A fully cocooned pupa next to an unpacked pupa
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