How Do Ants Make Their Own Food?
WouterWhether they’re in the kitchen or deep beneath the earth, ants are a part of our food chain. They feed on a variety of things and are also important in pest control.
While many of us think of ants as dirty insects, they actually aren’t. They have external teeth that help them eat, and they can clean up dead animals and plants as well.
Ants tend to live in colonies. They divide the work among themselves and also rely on pheromones to help them find food and stay in touch with each other. Some species create huge networks of tunnels deep in the ground. Others build anthills that tower dozens of feet into the air.
Ants have been agriculturists for 50 million years. They feed on a variety of things, including leaves, fungus, insects, and animals. Some ants even eat their own eggs. They have a special stomach that they use to store liquid food.
Some ants have a fungus inside their bodies that grows and acts as a food source for their larvae. They also produce antimicrobials to help protect the fungus from parasites and pathogens.
Ants are also sensitive to the needs of fungi, and they selectively remove foreign fungal spores from the ground. In addition, they produce molecules to keep pests away.
Ant colonies come together for warmth during the winter months. Some species also hibernate during colder months. Some ants create small anthills on the surface.
