Earth Dwellers

At La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica's tropical rain forest, two eminent myrmecologists, E. O. Wilson and William Brown Jr., are searching for new species of ants. Hoyt (Seasons of the Whale) joins them to explore the world of the ant. He has written an informative and entertaining account of ant societies and the scientists who study them. The author follows three generations of a leaf-eater colony, a complex society that cultivates a fungus garden underground. We meet two colonies of Aztec ants, battling for control of a single crecopia tree. There are little fire ants, swarm-raiders and army ants. Hoyt describes nuptial flights, warfare and natural disasters (floods), noting that ant behavior can change dramatically according to ecological conditions. There are stories of deception, cooperation and slavery. Readers who enjoyed Journey to the Ants (Bert Holldobler and E. O. Wilson) will find this book a valuable complement. Illustrations. (Mar.)