Exploratory Studies of Classical Conditioning of the Preoral Cavity in Harnessed Carpenter Ants (Camponotus Pennsylvanicus)

Abstract

An attempt was made to classically condition the mouthparts of harnessed worker ants ( Camponotus pennsylvanicus) in anticipation of feeding. Experiments were designed to investigate classical conditioning with one CS, discrimination between two CSs, and pseudoconditioning. Analysis indicated a small acquisition effect that could be accounted for by pseudoconditioning. The preparation can be used to study nonassociative learning and some instrumental conditioning situations.