How Do Ants Invade Other Colonies?
WouterDespite their docile natures, ants can be a formidable force when they invade other colonies. These ants use a variety of tactics to accomplish their goals. These tactics vary depending on the type of colony and what is at stake.
The ant’s ability to fight is bolstered by an unbreakable allegiance to its colony. This unbreakable allegiance is based on chemical and physiological clues that are used to recognize each other.
Depending on the species, ant colonies are divided into castes, or groups, that perform certain duties. These castes include workers, queens and scouts. Some species are solitary while others live in tight-knit colonies. Workers are female ants. Their job is to gather food, lay eggs, and protect the colony.
Depending on the age of the workers, they perform different duties. For example, the older workers protect the nest and the younger workers take care of the queen and brood. These ants may also use vibration or touch to communicate with their nestmates.
Some ants can even use chemical mimicry to trick their hosts. They do this by secreting glandular secretions that are similar to those on their own bodies. These glandular secretions also help ants to camouflage themselves.
A couple of species, like the Formica subnuda, use brute force to gain acceptance in their host colony. They can even kill the queen of their host colony. However, some parasitic queens use stealth. They may be met with host worker aggression.
