Anyone driving on a busy two lane highway knows how the traffic slows down whenever someone passes and other drivers must adjust their speed to accommodate this. Leafcutter ants that form busy highways between their leaf source and the nest have figured out how to make everyone move with the greatest efficiency. One simple rule. Do not pass. It seems that dealing with a passing ant slows trail efficiency twice as much as simply following a slower ant.
hat tip: Myrmecos blog.
Photo source: National Geographic:Roy Toft
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