The World War of the Ants – The Army Ant
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell・2 minutes read
Ants, ancient beings with over 16,000 species, make up 20% of the animal biomass on land. Army ants, in particular, are highly effective hunters, killing up to 500,000 animals per day by overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers, leading to significant damage or extermination of their colonies.
Insights
- Ants, with their incredible diversity and sheer numbers, play a crucial role in Earth's ecosystems, collectively representing a significant portion of the animal biomass on land, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecological balance.
- The organized and unified behavior of army ants, acting as a cohesive unit without infighting, enables them to launch devastating attacks on other social insects, showcasing the power of collective action in achieving efficiency and success in their predatory activities.
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Recent questions
How long have ants been in existence?
Ants have been around for approximately 160 million years, making them ancient beings on Earth.
What percentage of animal biomass on land do ants represent?
Ants collectively represent 20% of the animal biomass on land due to their vast numbers and species diversity.
What is the specialty of army ants in hunting?
Army ants specialize in attacking and consuming other social insects like termites, wasps, and ants, forming large hunting parties that can kill up to 500,000 animals per day.
How do army ants behave towards each other during invasions?
Army ants do not fight among themselves during invasions, acting as a unified social unit, which makes them especially dangerous and effective in attacking and exterminating prey colonies.
What threats do leafcutter ants face from army ants?
Leafcutter ants face threats from army ants, particularly Nomamyrmex esenbeckii, the only known species capable of successfully attacking mature leafcutter colonies, leading to intense battles where the leafcutters defend their nest against the superior numbers of army ants.
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Summary
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"Army Ants: Dominant and Deadly Insects"
- Ants, ancient beings that have existed for around 160 million years, have become one of the dominant animals on Earth with over 16,000 species and 10,000 trillion individuals, collectively representing 20% of the animal biomass on land.
- Army ants, a nomadic group of about 200 species, form large hunting parties that can kill up to 500,000 animals per day, specializing in attacking and consuming other social insects like termites, wasps, and ants, with their sheer numbers overwhelming their prey.
- Army ants do not fight among themselves, as they act as a unified social unit, making them especially dangerous and effective in invasions, leading to significant damage or extermination of the prey colony.
- Leafcutter ants, forming complex societies with extensive nests and a sophisticated division of labor, face threats from army ants, particularly Nomamyrmex esenbeckii, the only known species capable of successfully attacking mature leafcutter colonies, engaging in intense battles where the leafcutters defend their nest against the superior numbers of army ants.
