Are Green Ants Green?
WouterUnlike other edible insects, green ants are not suitable for human consumption because of their small size. Nevertheless, they can be a source of protein for those who are sensitive to insect bites. However, their bite can cause a painful rash and a serious allergic reaction. If you are allergic to green ants, you should avoid them as much as possible.
Green ants are known for their complex underground burrows. They are also famous for their extraordinary construction skills. They construct elaborate nests in treetops. They often live in large colonies. Some colonies can construct larger nests in less than a day.
Some Australian green ants have been commercialised as a food ingredient. They are also considered to be biological control agents. Farmers often use them to control the infestation of certain insects. They are considered to be beneficial for farmers since they don’t destroy crops. The use of pesticides to kill them can hurt the environment. In some cases, the pesticides contain toxic chemicals that may harm underground water sources.
These insects have a high fibre content. Chitin forms a part of the insect’s exoskeleton. The proportion of chitin varies according to the insect. The highest chitin content was found in the gaster. Its proportion was 18.3%.
The Australian green ant is comparable in mineral composition to green weaver ants from India. However, the antimicrobial activity of these insects is variable. They contain proline-rich antimicrobial peptides which are active against a variety of bacteria species.
