Necrophoresis

Definition

A hygienic behavior in social insects wherein workers transport dead colony members away from the nest, reducing pathogen buildup and colony disease risk. First formally described by E.O. Wilson in 1958 for ant colonies, though the phenomenon had been noted anecdotally since antiquity. Carried out via specialized corpse-carrying behaviors that may involve chemical recognition of death cues (e.g., oleic acid and other fatty acid breakdown products).

Etymology

From Greek nekros (dead body) and phoresis (carrying, transport)

Example

In the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), workers detect dead nestmates within minutes via cuticular hydrocarbon changes and carry them to refuse piles tens of meters from the mound; failure to perform necrophoresis correlates with increased fungal infection rates in laboratory colonies.

Synonyms

• corpse removal
• undertaking behavior

Related Terms

• hygienic behavior
• social immunity
• Thanatosis
• necromone
• oleic acid
• social insect sanitation
• colony-level disease resistance

Usage Notes

Distinct from necrophagy (consumption of dead individuals) and cannibalism; necrophoresis specifically denotes transport away from the nest rather than disposal method. Term is most commonly applied to Hymenoptera and Isoptera but analogous behaviors occur in some social spiders and cockroaches. Not used for carrion-feeding behaviors on extrinsic dead matter.