Sex and age related changes in the locomotor activity and phototactic behaviors of two closely related species of Camponotus ants

► Activity of males and queens differ between two related species of Camponotus ants. ► The differences in activity profiles of Camponotus queens disappear after mating. ► Virgin queens of the two related species differed in their light response behavior. ► Phototactic behavior of diurnal species changes after mating. ► Complex behaviors in ants have evolved for proper execution of pre-mating events.