Ant: description
The body of an ant consists of 3 main parts, clearly separated from each other - this is the head, which is connected to the chest and abdomen using a thin bridge in the form of a waist. All three parts are covered with a chitinous shell. The eyes of ants consist of a large number of lenses, but they do not allow you to get a good image, but only allow you to react to movement. On top of the head there are 3 additional simple eyes. With the help of 6 thin legs armed with claws at the end, ants are able to move on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. On the ant's head you can see antennae, which serve as organs of touch. With their help, insects detect odors, air fluctuations, and soil vibrations.
Ants mainly live by smell, since by smell they identify their relatives, determine the location of food, give danger signals, etc. Ants can secrete poison or formic acid, which allows them to defend against natural enemies. In addition, ants bite and it hurts very much.
The size of insects depends on the species, as well as on the functions that are intended for all members of the colonies. Therefore, their size ranges from 1 mm to 3 cm. It is characteristic of some species that the size of female individuals is larger than the size of working ants. Females grow wings, which disappear after the fertilization process. Different types of ants also differ in their color patterns. Therefore, there are ants of various colors.
TOP 10 INCREDIBLE FACTS ABOUT ANTS
Ants are measured by size... or an overview of colonies. Video (00:05:32)
At the same time, different types of ants are nearby. You can compare the size and color of ants in one video.
Ants in the video: Black Garden (Lasius niger) Steppe Reaper (Messor Structor) Steppe Runner (Cataglyphis aenescens) Red Jet (Camponotus nicobarensis) Black Woodborer (Camponotus vagus) Camponotus fellah
An ant farm is an excellent gift for a child; it will take him away from the computer or game console
and captivate him with observations of the existence of a very interesting micro-people. Also, this is an excellent opportunity to make sure whether your child will take care of pets.
In addition, the formicarium will allow for a number of studies and experiments, and will also lift the curtain of secrecy about the processes occurring in real anthills.
After purchasing the kit, you will not need to regularly spend money on maintaining the anthill; the costs will be rare and very small. An ant farm is very economical in this regard, despite the hefty start-up costs.
Types of ants with photos and names
Today, scientists know about 13 thousand species of ants, with about 300 species found within our territories. The species are so similar to each other that it is quite difficult to classify them, especially if a person is not a specialist.
Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to the most famous and frequently encountered species.
Black garden ant
This species is considered the most common species, since similar ants are found in almost all corners of our planet. Working individuals grow up to 4 and a half mm in length. Males are not significantly characterized. but large in size (up to 5.5 mm), and females have a length from 7 and a half to 11 millimeters. The body of the classic garden ant is covered with short, sparse bristles. They nest deep in the ground, under large stones, and also in unusable (rotten) wood. The main source of food for garden ants is the sweet liquid secreted by aphids. Therefore, ants not only protect aphids, but also breed them on various garden crops, which is why they can cause significant harm to the future harvest. What is interesting: the life expectancy of the queen is about 30 years, which is a record value for this category of insects.
Red myrmica
This type of ant has become widespread both on the European continent and in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. Females of this species are reddish, up to 6 mm in length, and males are almost black and slightly smaller in size (up to 5 mm). On the body of this species you can also see, albeit sparse, short hairs. They form their nests in the ground, under boulders or under fallen tree trunks.
Small forest ants
They prefer to settle in forests with a temperate climate, distributed throughout the Euro-Asian continent. Ants are distinguished by a red-brown body color, with red cheeks and a black abdomen. They grow in length from 7 to 14 mm. Forest ants form anthills up to 2 meters high in forests. Needles and branches are used as building materials. The species is listed in the Red Books of many countries with endangered species status. Therefore, in some countries, as well as in certain regions, this insect is extremely rare.
Pharaoh ant
Egypt is considered the homeland of this species, but in our time, pharaoh ants have settled in almost all corners of the earth. Working individuals are about 2 mm long and do not have wings. Males are black in color and have wings. They grow up to 3 and a half mm in length. Females also have wings, but only until the moment of mating, after which the males rid them of their wings. They prefer to build nests in dark, moist places. They can be found even in an apartment in a wardrobe or in various household appliances.
Dinoponera gigantea
This species of ants is the largest in the world, since the length of their body is more than 3 cm. The species is distinguished by an almost black color of the body. This species lives in humid environments, in forests common in the Savannah of South America, including the Amazon River basin. This species does not have females, but they are workers who are capable of reproducing. Giant dinosaur ants live in numerous (up to 20-30 individuals) families, the nests of which are formed in the thickness of the earth, at a depth of about half a meter. Males always have wings, so they can fly.
Asian tailor ant
This ant can be found without problems in Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, as well as in South India in tropical and subtropical climates. This species of ant is distinguished by its bright green color. At the same time, the abdomen is painted in red-orange tones, and the legs are beige. Working individuals are up to 8 mm in length, with males growing up to almost 1 cm in length, and females up to 1.3 cm in length. They prefer to live in trees in colonies of 500 thousand individuals, or even more. Therefore, a colony can occupy several trees at once. They build their nests from leaves, which are connected to each other using the characteristic sticky secretions of the larvae. That's why they were called "tailors".
The population of these places uses the larvae and pupae of these ants as food for poultry, as well as in traditional and folk medicine, including in the national cuisine of some Asian countries.
Eastern Liometopum
It is considered a species that is in danger of extinction, since it is listed in the Red Book, while it is an inhabitant of the Far East. Working individuals are dark brown in color and measure about 6 mm in length. Males and females are almost black and grow to 10 and 12 mm in length respectively. They build their nests in Korean pine, fir, Mongolian oak, linden, birch, etc.
Blood red ant
It is found on almost the entire Eurasian continent, with a preference for the middle zone. Working individuals have an almost black body and a brown head, growing up to 8 mm in length. The uterus is somewhat larger (up to 10 mm), red head and orange chest. Ants make their nests in tree stumps, in the ground, under various objects. With the arrival of winter, they begin to move to nests located at the base of trees. The behavior of this species is that ants raid colonies of other species and capture pupae. After that, they keep them in their nest as “slaves”.
Amazon Ant
Females of this species grow up to 1 cm in length, while males are 2 times smaller, and their “soldiers” are even smaller. The color of females and “soldiers” is yellow-red, and there are black hairs on their body. Males of this species are black in color, with brown antennae and limbs. This type of ant is common in the European part of the continent in western Asia and western Siberia. The species prefers to settle in forests, giving preference to damp areas, near clearings and forest edges. The Amazon ant also practices raids on colonies of other ants and takes pupae with them, after which it keeps them as labor.
Nomadic ants or legionnaire ants
This ant species is a subfamily of nomadic ants, which is common in tropical climates. Entire colonies of these dangerous insects are found in Central and South America, as well as within the African continent. They live in numerous colonies, consisting mainly of working individuals. Despite their relatively small size (no more than 4 mm), colonies of these insects are capable of destroying everything in their path. At the same time, they cause enormous damage to farmland.
Organization of an ant colony
For a long time, insects were considered extremely primitive creatures, but this is not so. They create highly developed communities. These insects are extremely small in size, but thanks to the amazing connection between all members of the colony, they work as a single organism. Now there is more data about how ants live. However, their study continues.
As a rule, ants build stationary houses, but there are also nomadic species of insects that build temporary huts from their own bodies by interlocking their jaws and legs. In such dwellings, the female, ant eggs and larvae, as well as numerous workers remain for several weeks, and then the entire colony moves on in search of food.
The construction of a stationary anthill begins with the birth of a sexually mature generation. When favorable conditions are created, the queen produces special ant eggs. This generation is then looked after by workers. Sexually mature males and females leave their natal nest to begin reproducing and building a new colony.
Hundreds of new anthills can be founded in one season. After the female leaves the birth nest, she mates. The resulting material will be enough for her to produce offspring throughout her life. After mating, the female becomes queen. She immediately begins to prepare to take her place in the hierarchy, so she looks for a small hole or digs one herself. In it she lays her first offspring.
queen ant
All members of the ant community have different life expectancies. For example, depending on the species, males live from 2 to 14 days. The queen ant is a true long-liver in the insect world. The average lifespan of females is 15 to 20 years. The queen, having found a secluded corner, immediately lays a significant number of eggs. Asexual members of a new colony usually live between 1 and 3 years.
Dimensions and features of anthills
From a scientific point of view, an anthill is a nest in which a colony of ants lives. This refers not only to the part visible from the outside, but also to the underground part. Insects can also build several nests, with many paths running between them. They are also taken for one anthill.
Weaver ants nest
Nests can have all sorts of sizes - it all depends on the type of ants, as well as the area in which they live. For example, members of small genera such as Leptothorax and Temnothorax build acorn-sized homes. Large forest ants of the genus Formica require huge nests up to 2 m.
The lifespan of an anthill is also unlimited. As a rule, insects can use a nest from several to hundreds of years. The complexity of the design is determined by the lifestyle of the colony. Most ants create elaborate homes that they will inhabit for many years. Nomadic species do not need complex nests - after a couple of months of sedentary life, they migrate to a new place.
Interesting fact: the nomadic African species Dorylus wilverthi is known for the largest colonies - about 22 million individuals. Ants move for several days at a speed of 20 m per hour. The stay in the underground nest lasts no longer than 3 months, during which the foragers replenish food supplies daily
Carpenter ants live in tree cavities
Nests are built underground and outside, in trees, logs, etc. The materials used are soil, various plants, leaves, and pine needles. Weaver ants strengthen their homes with webs. When darkness falls, the exits from the nests are covered with resin to prevent heat loss. Nests can go several meters underground.
Natural habitats of ants
If we take into account all types of ants, and there are more than a thousand of them, then they are found on almost all continents and in all climatic zones. Therefore, they are found both in deserts and in the Arctic and Antarctic conditions. In cold climates, ants hibernate in winter.
Their nests can be seen in rotten wood, in the soil, and also under various objects lying on the ground. Some species do not build nests for themselves, but prefer to take over others. Many species prefer to live near humans.
House-Formicarium For the Black Garden Ant, Entomologist in Ukraine 2014. Video (00:15:23)
House-Formicarium For the Black Garden Ant, Entomologist in Ukraine 2014 Uterus (Female) Ants and House-Formicarium For the Black Garden Ant Lasius niger, by Entomologist in Ukraine 2014. Entomologist, Candidate of Biological Sciences Viktor Fursov talks about the black Garden Ant Lasius niger - and the conditions of its maintenance, about the swarming of ants, about the findings of queen ants, as well as methods of fighting them and especially the pharaoh ant. Entomologist , Ph.D., Dr Victor Fursov biology is talking about the ants Lasius niger, and how to create the colony of this species at the laboratory for laboratory study, and how to manage and successfully control and destroy the colonies of this species in your gardens or greenhouses
Diet of ants
Each species of these insects feeds differently, so it is almost impossible to single out specific food. The fact is that they consume food items of both plant and animal origin. However, they can eat quite often.
For normal growth and development of ant larvae, protein is required, the source of which is dead insects, as well as the remains of other animals, trophic eggs laid by the queen, eggs of various harmful insects, as well as semi-digested food of adults.
House ants use dairy products, gelatin, and leftover egg dishes as a source of protein food. The queen ant also consumes protein food, which she receives from the individuals caring for her.
Ants obtain carbohydrates from honeydew, as well as from the liquid secreted by aphids.
Ants are unique living creatures that form entire farms from aphids, after which they “graze” them and protect them from attacks by other ants. As a result, the ants provide their own food.
In addition, ants in nature try to feed on plant seeds, nuts, and green juices. Some species breed entire colonies of mushrooms in their nests, while also feeding on caterpillars and insects.
Harvester ants feed on dry plant seeds, dry fruits, and grain crops. They store up to 1 kg of nutritious material for the winter, which is enough for the entire colony.
Leaf-cutter ants stock up on pieces of leaves, after which they chew them and store them in this form in special chambers. After some time, mushrooms appear on the chewed pieces, which represent the main food source for this family. Centromyrmex ants eat termites exclusively. Dracula ants feed on substances that their larvae secrete, and the larvae eat various insects. We can safely say that these ants are gourmets, which cannot be said about domestic ants, which are omnivores.
When there is a significant cold snap, the ants hibernate, so they do not feed during this period. Some of the species continue to lead an active lifestyle, surviving on the created reserves.
Lugovoy
These ants primarily live in Siberia. For their settlements, they choose open areas - meadows, forest edges, clearings. Individuals build an anthill from plant and leaf residues, held together with sand.
The description of the appearance of the ant distinguishes it from others by its noticeable color - a yellow body. Individuals of the meadow ant feed on waste products of aphids and insect remains. A comfortable temperature for their life is considered to be from +10 to +30 degrees.
Reproduction occurs twice a year - from May to June and from August to September. These insects are not particularly useful for protecting plantations from pests, since they practically do not feed on living individuals and live at short distances.
Ant Reproduction
Ants reproduce 2 times a year, and 2 methods are available for them.
The first method is based on the fact that the young female takes with her a certain number of workers and leaves her family to form a new family. As a result of the second method, the female goes on a mating flight, where she is fertilized by males from another anthill. After fertilization, the female lays eggs, after which, after they mature, she has a group of working individuals. The males die after some time. Until the workers mature, the queen feeds on the remains of the muscles of her wings. Females and workers are born from fertilized eggs, and males from unfertilized eggs.
Ants are considered harmless insects until they come into the sight of a person in the home. Although even in a home they cannot cause harm, except perhaps by their movements in search of food. Therefore, they should not be exterminated, since they destroy many harmful insects.
LIFESTYLE
Black garden ants build anthills in different places - under small lumps of earth, roots and trunks of old fallen trees, in rotten stumps, under flat stones or in the walls of buildings. A narrow entrance leads into the anthill, from which corridors lead to several main chambers, which are also connected by corridors. Each camera has its own purpose.
Black garden ants live in large, well-organized communities that are sometimes called “ant states.” Each individual here performs a specific function. The inhabitants of the colony are divided into 3 castes - the queen (a reproductive female who lays eggs), the king or male (a winged male capable of reproduction) and worker ants (sterile females). Some workers take care of the eggs and larvae. Others build or expand an anthill and maintain order in it. The third group of workers goes out in search of food. There are workers who take care of the queen and guard the anthill. The queen spends her entire life in a separate chamber, its function is the continuous laying of eggs. The first generation of a new colony develops very quickly, the ants immediately begin building the anthill, taking care of the queen and the next generation of larvae.
How does an anthill work?
Ants are social insects and their life activity is somewhat reminiscent of human life, where society consists of people of various professions.
Their home (anthill) has a unique structure, which only the mind can do. For example:
- Ants are engineers and builders who form their nest through tunnels and other communications.
- In the society of ants, there are soldiers who protect the anthill from attacks by natural enemies, and also help to capture other territories.
- Doctor ants monitor the health of working individuals and also perform operations, relieving individuals of injured legs.
- Nurse ants control the development of larvae.
- Foraging ants are busy collecting and storing food, distributing it into special storage areas.
- Farmer ants are busy breeding aphids, cicadas, copperheads and scale insects. They look after them and also “milk” them, obtaining a tasty liquid.
- Leaf-cutter ants are busy collecting and identifying leaves, after which colonies of fungi grow from them. There are also ants - fungal growers, who use both insects and feces to grow mushrooms.
- Harvester ants are busy collecting seeds from various plants.
- Carpenter ants are busy collecting juices secreted by various plants.
- Gravedigger ants practice moving their deceased relatives to a place that can be called a cemetery.
- These are not all professions that allow an ant colony to survive in natural conditions.
Bulldogs
Ants of this breed began to be called bulldogs because of their large jaw, thanks to which insects obtain food. They also use it to push off the ground and can jump up to 0.3 m. Adult ants are good swimmers. The larvae eat the food obtained by the workers themselves.
Representatives of this species prefer a tropical climate, so they can only be found on the Australian continent. In appearance, they are very similar to wasps: they have a large body, the size of which reaches up to 30 mm. You can see what a bulldog ant looks like in the photo.
Bulldog ants
Interesting!
The bulldog ant poses a serious danger to humans. The consequence of its bite can be an allergic reaction, and even anaphylactic shock.
Interesting facts about ants
- The bullet ant, which lives in tropical conditions, can bite by injecting a fairly potent poison that causes pain in the victim, which is several times greater than the sensation of a bee or wasp sting. Indian tribes who know this teach their younger generation to be resistant to severe pain. To do this, they place the boy's hand in a plastic bag with these insects. As a result of numerous bites of these insects, the hand begins to swell, and the person feels incredible pain.
- Ant eggs are nothing more than larvae, and some tribes in Africa and residents of other Asian countries have no problem including them in their diet. Many believe that larvae contain a lot of protein, and plus, eating them increases potency. Mexicans generally spread these eggs on corn tortillas and eat them with pleasure on holidays, like many nationalities eat red caviar.
- The queen, on which the life of the colony depends, can live for about 6 years. Moreover, there is evidence that the queen was able to live for as long as 14 years, which is an absolute record for the insect order.
Bullet
These types of ants are not found in Russia; their habitat is the tropical forests of Nicaragua and Paraguay. Representatives of this species build their nests in tree trunks, trying to disguise them with branches and leaves.
Ant bullet
Bullet ants are very dangerous insects. Their bite is accompanied by severe pain that does not subside throughout the day. The injured areas become charred and turn black. The consequences of such ant attacks are the occurrence of tumors, paralysis, chills and weakness.
