Student Article

Ants, part of the Formicidae family, are social insects known for their complex colonies and specialized behaviors. Found across the globe (except Antarctica), ants live in hierarchical societies led by one or more queens and supported by thousands or even millions of sterile female workers and soldiers. Each member of the colony performs specific roles, creating an efficient and resilient social structure.

Some ants live in giant families

One of the most remarkable behaviors observed in ants is the formation of supercolonies. For instance, the invasive Argentine ant has established an enormous supercolony spanning over 3,728 miles (6,000 kilometers) across Europe. Due to their shared genetic background and identical colony scent profiles, these ants do not perceive each other as threats and instead function as a vast cooperative network.

They have wild survival tricks

Ants also demonstrate extraordinary survival strategies. Fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), when faced with flooding, form floating rafts by gripping one another with their mandibles and legs. This living raft keeps the queen and brood above water until they reach safety. Some species, like the African Matabele ant, have been observed providing medical care — licking and treating the wounds of injured nestmates, improving survival rates dramatically.

Sometimes ants get into trouble

Unfortunately, their reliance on scent trails can sometimes lead to tragedy. In rare cases, ants become trapped in “death spirals” or ant mills — continuous loops where workers follow reinforced pheromone trails in circles until they die of exhaustion.

Ants are everywhere — and full of surprises

Tool use in ants, while rare, does occur. Aphaenogaster subterranea ants use debris to absorb liquids from food, demonstrating a basic level of tool-assisted foraging.

From forming supercolonies to performing battlefield triage, ants are among the most socially advanced and adaptable insects on Earth.

© Richard Jones / Our Media