Articles tagged with Ants
A new study reveals invasive garden ants (Lasius neglectus) originated from the Black Sea region and are able to thrive in temperate climates. They can spread rapidly through large potted plants and human movement, posing a significant threat to natural biodiversity.
Dr. Audrey Dussutour's paper reveals how ants regulate sugar intake in response to colony growth, finding that larvae drive the nest's collective stomach. The discovery sheds light on how colonies communicate and regulate nutritional needs.
Scientists are studying gene regulation in ants to model human aging and behavior. Epigenetic changes, not DNA sequence alterations, may underlie differences in longevity and behavior among ant castes. The study aims to identify the molecular basis for these changes.
Researchers at McGill University have found a molecular mechanism that maintains social harmony in ants by limiting their fertility. This discovery supports Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and provides insight into the evolution of eusocial organisms like ants.
A new study published in PLoS Biology found that ants specializing in specific jobs are not more efficient than 'generalist' ants, challenging the idea that job specialization contributes to their success. The research tested individual ants performing various tasks and found that specialists put in more hours of work but did not outpe...
A new study by Anna Dornhaus found that individual rock ants specializing on one task are no more efficient than those performing multiple tasks. Despite concentrating their work on a specific job, specialized ants do not perform better or faster, but instead spend more hours working.
Researchers found that ants living more than 60 miles inland preferred a 1% salt solution over a sugar solution 10 times more concentrated. This preference was true for plant-eating ants, but not carnivorous ones.
The Entomological Society of America recognizes Dr. Frederick P. Baxendale for his outstanding contributions to extension entomology, and Dr. Tiffany M. Heng-Moss for her exceptional teaching, including developing a new undergraduate major in insect science. Dr. Ronald D. Oetting receives the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticul...
A new species of blind, subterranean ant, Martialis heureka, has been discovered in the Amazon rainforest and is believed to be a descendant of the first ants to evolve. The ant's unique characteristics, including lack of eyes and pale body color, suggest that it may have evolved adaptations over time to its subterranean habitat.
A recent study found that past climate changes and sea level fluctuations may have contributed to the formation of new species in the Amazon. The research, published in PLOS ONE, used leafcutter ants as a model organism to investigate how geography and climate affect species diversity.
A study led by Dr. Scott Solomon found that ice age climate change and ancient flooding contributed to the evolution of new insect species in the Amazon region. The researchers tested three hypotheses, concluding that riverine barriers cannot explain the region's high biodiversity.
Roberta, a German robotics project, aims to encourage high school girls to pursue technical trades and university programs. The program has been successful, with 22 regional centers in Germany and plans for European expansion.
A team of international collaborators, led by Academy entomologist Brian Fisher, creates a conservation map for Madagascar by analyzing distribution data from 2,315 species. The proposed locations for new protected areas preserve the maximum number of species, providing a valuable model for biodiversity hotspots worldwide.
A new study found that young fire ant workers are four times more likely to survive aggressive attacks by pretending to be dead. Sustained movement is necessary to trigger a physical attack. Feigning death allows these young workers to contribute to brood care and colony growth.
Researchers discovered that ants have been farming fungus for approximately 50 million years, with four distinct agricultural systems emerging over time. These findings shed light on the evolution of agriculture and could lead to improved human agricultural and medical methods.
Scientists have discovered that ants deliberately spread their offspring with 'royal' genes to avoid detection and maintain an unfair advantage in queen selection. This genetic cheating undermines the notion of egalitarianism in ant societies, revealing a complex web of conflict and cooperation.
Research reveals invasive garden ants have already established widely in Europe, with potential for further infestations. The ants' dispersal strategy and originators were found to be limited, suggesting many more infestations may remain undiscovered.
A new study reveals that harvester ant mothers have a significant impact on their daughters' fate, with eggs predetermined to become workers or queens from the moment they are laid. The researchers found that only eggs laid by mature queens exposed to cold conditions develop into new queens.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that clusters of ant nests on a coffee farm in Mexico follow a power law distribution, characteristic of systems exhibiting self-organized criticality. The ants' spatial distribution patterns are maintained by the decapitating fly, which prevents larger clusters from forming.
A newly discovered parasite transforms its ant host into a ripe red berry, tricking birds into eating infected ants to spread the infection. The parasite, Myrmeconema neotropicum, causes the ant's gaster to turn red and become sluggish, making it easy for birds to consume.
A study reveals that elephants, giraffes, and other large plant-eaters spur Acacia trees to hire ants as bodyguards, but without them, the trees suffer. The research highlights how people's impacts on ecosystems can cascade down unexpected paths.
Researchers study how butterflies dupe ants into feeding them by mimicking ant pheromones. Ants can develop resistance against this deception, which is influenced by local gene flow.
The Argentine ant's invasive success is attributed to its adaptability and ability to outcompete native ants. As it displaces native species, the ants begin foraging lower on the food chain, exploiting honeydew excretions of aphids and scale insects.
Researchers found that Argentine ants' ability to switch from carnivorous to plant sap-loving creatures allowed them to rapidly spread throughout coastal California. The change in diet enabled the ants to thrive in irrigated residential communities where more plant material than insect protein is available.
Researchers discovered the essential design features of coiled coil silks in bees, ants, and wasps, which are produced by larvae using different methods. The unique protein structure produces a lightweight yet tough silk, likely contributing to the social insects' evolutionary success.
Researchers investigated the evolution of army-ant following in tropical bird species, revealing specialization categories from casual to professional dependency. The study found army-ant following has persisted for millions of years, with implications for bird populations facing threats like deforestation and global warming.
Army ants form living 'plugs' to plug uneven potholes in their trails, reducing the impact on prey-laden foragers and increasing daily prey intake. The study found that specialized behavior by a minority of ant workers improves the performance of the majority, resulting in a clear benefit for the society as a whole.
Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that leaf-cutting ant larvae can switch development based on environmental stimuli and colony needs. This flexible genetic coding allows colonies to adapt to changing workforce demands.
The MIT team has visualized a complex network of two types of curves formed by two distinct groups of particles. The first type of curve attracts other fluid particles, while the second type repels them. This discovery may lead to better understanding of turbulent mixing and aid in designing more efficient vehicles.
Researchers discovered that ants in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, have adapted to higher temperatures. The findings suggest a link between urban heat islands and the physiological adjustments of species.
Researchers found that genetically similar ants have peaceful relations and genetically different ants attack each other. This suggests that the lack of genetic diversity permits supercolonies to arise, allowing ants to devote more resources to breeding rather than competing for territory.
Researchers have discovered how wood ants use visual navigation strategies to find food, storing images of routes and landscapes in their memories. This study could lead to the development of autonomous robots by understanding how ants learn and navigate using visual cues.
Researchers at Northwestern University have found that hematopoietic stem cells can transform into a wide variety of tissue types, not just blood cells. Additionally, the elasticity of a stem cell's environment plays a major role in determining its growth, with softer environments producing nerve-like cells and more rigid environments ...
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have found a natural way to control the spread of destructive Argentine ants by manipulating their chemical cues. The team created a synthetic version of a recognition compound that causes untreated nest mates to attack, disrupting cooperative behavior within colonies.
The trap-jaw ant's mandibles close at 35-64 meters per second, or 78-145 miles per hour, with an average duration of 0.13 milliseconds. The ants accelerate at 100,000 times the force of gravity, generating forces exceeding 300 times their body weight.
Researchers have found that trap-jaw ants can propel themselves through the air using their fast-moving jaws, with two types of defensive propulsion mechanisms discovered. The ants use these mechanisms to escape predators and eject intruders, with bouncer defense allowing them to bounce away from large objects.
A study by Daniel A. Hahn found that worker ants in desert carpenter ant colonies store more fat per unit lean mass than lighter ants, leading to a greater proportion of soldiers being stored. This difference in individual-level storage tactics contributes to between-species differences in behavioral development and motivation.
Researchers found that symbiotic fungus reproduces sexually and disperse independently of ants, contradicting long-held theories. The fungi's ability to cross geographical boundaries allows them to intermingle genes with mainland populations.
Fire ant expert Walter R. Tschinkel's new book reveals the fascinating world of S. invicta, dispelling misconceptions and showcasing the creature's vital role in ecosystems. The fire ant thrives in disturbed habitats, controlling pest populations and adapting to human activities.
Modern ants arose between 140-168 million years ago, coinciding with the emergence of flowering plants. This shift provided new habitats and food sources for ants, allowing them to diversify and become dominant in terrestrial ecosystems.
A recent study reveals that ancient ants arose 140-168 million years ago, in concert with the emergence of flowering plants. The researchers used DNA sequencing and fossil records to reconstruct the ant family tree, pushing back the origin of modern-day ants by at least 40 million years.
Ants can use landmarks to find their way home, but also have an internal 'path integrator' that constantly reassesses their position. Researchers found that this system needs regular reset via nest entry and food release to maintain accuracy.
Researchers motivated ants with melon-tuna flavored crumbs to navigate a horizontal barrier, allowing them to crawl under without stopping. Ants visually assessed the barrier height using their antennae when it was made invisible.
Researchers at University of Bristol observed ants using 'tandem running' to teach each other routes, a behavior that meets the criteria for formal teaching. This discovery suggests that information value rather than brain size may drive the evolution of teaching in animals.
A recent study reveals that ants house specific species of bacteria in highly adapted cavities and provide them with nourishment, indicating a long-standing co-evolutionary relationship between the two organisms. This phenomenon has potential implications for addressing antibiotic resistance and may shed light on other natural systems.
Researchers propose that mass cooperative food foraging in army ants evolved to subdue large prey, a theory supported by the observation of Cheliomyrmex andicola feeding on giant earthworms and snakes. The species' unique jaw structure and venomous sting may play a key role in this behavior.
A study of accidentally imported ants in the US reveals that finding suitable nesting sites is key to successful invasion. Researchers identified 232 species from 394 samples and found that opportunity alone is no guarantee of success.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that nesting preferences are a crucial factor in determining whether an invasive ant species will establish itself. According to researchers, ground-nesting and arboreal ants with specific biological characteristics are more likely to succeed. The stu...
Researchers found that monkeys demonstrate a significant semantic congruity effect when making numerical comparisons, similar to humans. The study used colored cues to instruct monkeys to choose larger or smaller numbers, showing high accuracy and speed in the task.
In the Amazon rainforest, ants, not evil spirits, cultivate devil's gardens by poisoning all plants except their hosts with formic acid. This process allows colonies to gain abundant nest sites, a long-lasting benefit that can last for 800 years.
Researchers found that ants use their two claws to interlock with waxy surfaces, enabling them to run efficiently. In contrast, glass rods require the presence of both claws and adhesive pads for ants to maintain traction.
The Swarms Project aims to develop software framework for autonomous robots to work together, inspired by natural swarming behaviors. The project will leverage expertise in AI, robotics, and biology to tackle complex tasks such as locating terrorists or chemical spills.
Researchers are drawing inspiration from honeybees' collaborative decision-making and ants' behavior to develop new collaboration frameworks for disaster relief efforts. The study aims to create flexible networks of responders who can act based on local information, mimicking the spread patterns of viruses and rumors.
Researchers discovered that gliding ants, like Cephalotes atratus, can land on tree trunks and climb back up, with 85% success rate. The ants' ability to change direction mid-air is still a mystery, but it's likely due to their unique morphology, including flattened hind legs and head flanges.
Researchers have discovered that most C. atratus workers can glide back to their home tree after falling, a behavior crucial for survival in the high-risk tropical forest canopy. The ants use visual orientation and mechanisms to change direction and maintain a steady glide path through the air.
Researchers found that ant queens benefit from mating, gaining increased lifespan and reproductive success. Sexual cooperation rather than conflict promotes this benefit in social insects, allowing queens to experience a long reproductive phase after colony maturity.
A new study reveals that genetics, not environment, determines an ant's role in the colony. Harvester ants from southeastern Arizona and New Mexico show a surprising tendency to produce sterile workers when mating with males from different genetic lineages.
In two harvester ant populations, queens and workers from the same colonies are genetically very different, with only queens coming from pure species-specific lineages. The ants have committed to a hybrid workforce strategy, relying on interspecific hybrid workers for survival.
A study in the Royal Society journal explores genetic factors in social responsibility, finding that genes play a significant role in shaping attitudes. The research also examines the potential for Argentine ants to spread globally due to climate change, highlighting the importance of preventive measures.
Researchers explore links between chronic stress in birds, depleted medieval fish stocks, and the costs of extended lifespan. Studies reveal how food and predators impact physiology and demography in songbirds and propose a norm for inseparable effects on both.