  Understanding social immunity mechanisms in ant colonies remains crucial to
comprehending the evolution of defense strategies in eusocial organisms. This
study assumes the absence of the role of memory in the ants' defense strategy,
considering that they can make a new exploration of collective cleaning
behaviors. We investigate how worker interactions and previous behaviors
influence the evolution of social immunity strategies in response to the
presence of pathogens and vulnerable colony members. In this context, with the
application of Markov transition models it was possible to describe changes in
cleaning behavior over time influenced by the presence of vulnerable members
and treatment with an entomopathogenic fungus. We found a significant effect on
ant behavior when exposed to \it{Metarhizium anisopliae} when a fungus garden
fragment and one larva were present. Our findings confirm a link between
prophylactic cleaning and the presence of vulnerable members. Remarkably,
distinct behaviors and transition times vary among treatments, revealing
workers' adaptability to threats. Allogrooming shows adaptive changes when
exposed to pathogens, potentially affecting pathogen transmission. In addition,
our study elucidates the intricate interaction between internal and external
factors shaping worker behavior. The influence of environmental context on
decision-making principles emerges, emphasizing the importance of both
intrinsic colony organization and external threats. By using a Markov model to
understand ant hygiene behavior, we offer insights into social immunity
mechanisms in eusocial organisms. Deciphering collective cleaning strategies
can aid in understanding disease dynamics and decision-making processes in
complex societies.
