How Do Ants Accept Ants From Other Colonies?
WouterNormally, ants from different species would fight to the death. But, researchers have discovered that they can sometimes get along.
In the past, they were often seen playing and feeding each other. But, scientists have discovered that ants can recognize each other by chemical cues. These cues are called pheromones. They help ants to detect one another, as well as to find their nestmates. These pheromones may be species-specific or nest-specific.
When ants from different colonies come together, they usually avoid each other. They will either ignore each other or fight each other.
Normally, ants are not allowed to join other colonies. However, they can get accepted if they are closely related. This process is called accidental aSSOCiation. Researchers have even returned individuals to colonies and found them accepted.
In a colony, ants are divided into workers and reproductives. Workers are the ones who perform duties like feeding and guarding the colony. They also police conflicts.
In addition, workers share cues from the environment. These cues can be based on smell, color, and even sight. Workers decide what cues to follow based on what they find in the environment. They also help decide what to do when they come in contact with nestmates.
Ants of the same species often share the same odor. They can also identify one another by a chemical called cuticular hydrocarbon, which is like a grease covering each ant. The cuticular hydrocarbon is partly determined genetically, but it is also determined by the nest.
