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Hi Leon,
Ants are a very special species of the animal world.
They do not have a brain. They have developed behaviour patterns to basically survive. Or live. Without a complex brain they can not take a roll call.
However: Now this may sound as if they do have a brain but they react to chemicals excreted from each other.
An ant senses a threat, the alarm pheromone is excreted.
A scout finds a large food source, This is communicated.
Squash an ant and the surviving ants go into a frenzy. The threat pheromone is present and released from the squashed ant.
The following applies more to answering your question Leon:
When ants travel to a food source and more than 10% do not return. They often abandon that supply.
Here's another good one.
Many insecticides have a repelling affect to ants. Consequently having the desired effect. To get rid of the ants. Some insecticide chemicals are not detectable by ants. Lethal to them. Having been developed to kill off an entire nest. (re: Fire Ants)
Spraying a patch of ground with a non repellant insecticide, where ants are tracking in file has little or no affect at first. The ants will continue to track across the treated area for some time. Of-course the ants die later.
After a few days the trail changes. a distinct 'dogleg' in the trail shape happens. The ants avoid the treated patch. They go right around the treated area.
Makes you think. I view an ant colony as one animal that has thousands of detachable limbs. Each one contributes to the well-being and survival of the colony as a whole. Even if it means its own demise.
My short answer Leon, I really don't know.
Cheers
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