There are over 20,000 species of ants in the world. Of this number, 12,500 species have been classified to date. 1)
Ants communicate with each other using chemicals called pheromones. This is how they can warn each other of danger or tell each other how to get to where the food is. 2)
Male ants have only one task to perform. This is to copulate with the queen. After completing his task, the male ant can die peacefully — his mission is accomplished. 3)
Ants appeared on Earth at about the same time as plants, 130 million years ago. Humans did not appear on our planet until 2 million years ago. 4)
Like humans, ants also have animals that they graze. They watch over and protect the aphids, which in return produce food — honeydew. 5)
Mycocepurus smithi ants are a species with no males. It is the only species that reproduce asexually. Within the Mycocepurus smithi species, there are only genetically identical females. 6)
Worker ants are females that are characterized by underdeveloped reproductive organs. 7)
Ants belong to the insect family, the order Hymenoptera, and, interestingly, are related to wasps. 8)
The antennae in ants have very important functions and are well developed in all ant species. 9)
On the abdomen of ants, you will find a venom gland. 10)
The potency and harmfulness of ant venom depend on the species. The venom contains larger or smaller amounts of formic acid. 11)
There are species of ants that do not have anthills of their own but only parasitize the nests of other insects. 12)
Myrmecophiles are animals that temporarily or permanently live in the nest of ants or termites and benefit from their food. 13)
Ants feed on plant and animal foods. Omnivorous ants are the most common. 14)
An aquarium is a home-bred ant farm called a formicarium. 15)
It has been studied that healthy ants avoid sick individuals. They do so to protect the colony from spreading the disease. 16)
The ant body naturally produces substances that destroy bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. 17)
It has been studied that certain African ants are capable of producing a mold that acts as an antibiotic under laboratory conditions. Scientists agree that this could prove salutary in the future, holding out hope for a new generation of drugs. 18)