We are interested in the effect that temperature has on colony foraging patterns. 

    It is not surprising that the foraging activity of this desert ant is influenced by temperature.  However, we also know that colonies differ in the time that they are active.  We want to understand why some colonies can be actively foraging while other colonies have not yet begun to forage.  This is what a typical foraging curve looks like.  Early in the morning somewhat more ants leave the nest than return to the nest, while later in the morning, somewhat  more ants return to the nest than leave.    

In the colony below, there is a distinctly bimodal activity pattern. There are two peaks of activity, one that subsides after 9 am and one that continues until noon.  

After obvious environmental effects have been statistically removed, colonies are quite variable in the amount of time that they are active.  This shows a frequency distribution of the amount of time that colonies are active.  Some colonies are active for a hour (per morning) more than average and others for an hour less than average.