How Can Ants Eat Anything?
WouterWhether you are looking for food or shelter, ants can find it. They are opportunistic feeders and will raid the trash for food, fats and proteins. Then they will carry it to their nest.
Sugar is a major attraction for ants. They have chemosenses, which are chemical sensors that can detect sugar, proteins and fats at a very low concentration. They will leave pheromones to guide their fellow workers to the source.
They will also use their antennae to find food. These are tiny bristles on their body that work as olfactory receptors.
Most ants are opportunistic feeders. They will eat anything from corn, to seeds, to fungus. Some species are cannibalistic. They will eat other ants when food becomes scarce.
They will also eat honey. Honey is sugary and is a particularly attractive food to ants. They also enjoy eating sugary liquids such as juice. They also enjoy honeydew, a sticky sugary liquid that aphids produce.
Ants also have mandibles, which help them to lift food. The mandibles are also used for hunting and food processing. They are also used to chew up food particles.
The worker ants have two stomachs. Their first stomach is called the mesosoma. This is where they store food for the colony. The second stomach is called the rostrum. It provides nutrients to the colony.
Sugar is not as easy to consume as it sounds. They will usually find sugar in the form of honey or jam. They also enjoy sugary liquids such as popsicles and juice.
