Table of Contents
Ants
Over 20,000 species
There are over 20,000 species of ants in the world. Of this number, 12,500 species have been classified to date. 1)
Communication
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)
One task of the males
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)
130 million years ago
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)
Ants and aphids
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
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
Worker ants are females that are characterized by underdeveloped reproductive organs. 7)
Hymenoptera order
Ants belong to the insect family, the order Hymenoptera, and, interestingly, are related to wasps. 8)
Antennae
The antennae in ants have very important functions and are well developed in all ant species. 9)
Venom gland
On the abdomen of ants, you will find a venom gland. 10)
Potency of ant venom
The potency and harmfulness of ant venom depend on the species. The venom contains larger or smaller amounts of formic acid. 11)
Anthills
There are species of ants that do not have anthills of their own but only parasitize the nests of other insects. 12)
Myrmecophiles
Myrmecophiles are animals that temporarily or permanently live in the nest of ants or termites and benefit from their food. 13)
Myrmecophiles
Ants feed on plant and animal foods. Omnivorous ants are the most common. 14)
Formicarium
An aquarium is a home-bred ant farm called a formicarium. 15)
Avoiding the sick
It has been studied that healthy ants avoid sick individuals. They do so to protect the colony from spreading the disease. 16)
Resistance
The ant body naturally produces substances that destroy bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. 17)
Kenyan ants
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)