About Ants
Ants are a spectacular insect and are one of, if not, my favorite insects. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors between 110 and 130 millions years ago [6]. Throughout the world, there are over 12,000 species of ants. Some of the most common ant species in the United States are the Argentine, Odorous House, Carpenter, Fire, Pavement, and Pharaoh Ants [7].
Ants are very social insects. Different ant species are eusocial and live in colonies that exhibit evolved, complex social systems with divisions of labor. They cooperate in caring for their young, share a common nest site with complex tunnels and chambers, and exhibit a reproductive division of labor where sterile, female individuals work for the benefit of a few, reproductive individuals [15]. Ants belong to the Formicidae family and are in the Hymenoptera order, along with bees and wasps. They also belong to the Insecta Class [8]. Being in the Hymenoptera order, Ants go through the four steps of complete metamorphosis. The queen ant lays the eggs, which then transforms into larva, then pupa, and finally, the adults. There are three types of adult ants, the Queens, the Males, and the Workers. Each of these adult ants play a different role within the colony [9].
The ants body is divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Surrounding those sections is its exoskeleton. The exoskeleton provides a protective casing around the body and point of attachment for muscles. Ants do not have lungs so s so oxygen and other gasses pass through their exoskeleton via tine valves called spiracles [6]. The main parts of an ants head are its antennae, its eyes, and its mandibles. They use their antennae to touch, taste, and smell anything within reach. Some ants have different types of eyes that are used for different things. Ants that use vision to hunt for prey have big compound eyes. Other ants that live in dark places have reduced eyes and may even be blind [13]. Lastly are its mandibles. The ants mandibles are its most important tool. Ants use their mandibles like human hands to hold and carry things. They can also be used for biting, crushing, cutting, digging, fighting, and hunting [13]. The thorax is the chest area of the ant's body. It contains the ant's six legs, three on each side, and the muscles used to control those legs and at the end of each leg is a sharp claw that helps ants climb and hang on to things [14]. Lastly, is the ant's abdomen. The abdomen contains the ant's heart, digestive system, and chemical weaponry. Some ants have a sting, which is used to inject venom into enemies. Others have a tiny opening at the tip of their abdomen through which they spray acid to stun prey or defend themselves [13]. Ant habitats can be found pretty much anywhere around the world except in cold places like Antarctica or in the Northern part of the world. They will build their nests pretty much anywhere they can. Nests can be seen in the ground, under logs or stones, inside logs, acorns, and in hollow stems. Some ants avoid nest sites that have dead ants, as this indicates pest presence or the presence of disease. Ants rapidly vacate a nest, if they sense danger. Ants also build nests in buildings, walls, electric appliances and windows [16]. Ants eat all sorts of different things. Some eat plants, some eat meat of dead animals, some eat other bugs, and some will even eat different types of ants. Ants are omnivorous – they eat everything. In nature, they feed on the milk of aphids and other small Hemiptera, insects and small living or dead invertebrates, as well as the sap of plants and various fruits. They also eat insect eggs. When they come into our homes, ants add to their menu a wide range of sweets, meats, animal foods, and fats. They can eat almost anything humans do. They also hunt small insects inside our homes [17]. |