How Will Ants From Different Colonies Fight Over Territory?
WouterArgentine ant colonies use sheer numbers to dominate rivals. During ant wars, millions of casualties are recorded every week. The colonies also fight over territory. These wars have been going on for hundreds of millions of years.
Ants are social insects that have separate castes. Each colony has a queen, which is responsible for the reproduction process. Workers also forage for food and care for young. During warmer months, ants lay chemical trails to guide other workers to food and water.
Ants are also able to serve as soldiers. These workers are recruited to defend the colony against other ants. They have specialized weaponry. These weapons are effective against other ants but not against mammals. They can also cannibalize defeated contestants for food or shelter.
Some species may even tolerate many queens in their nests. This is called oligogyny. The loss of a queen often causes the collapse of the colony. Some species also have the ability to form new colonies. Some species may choose to feed on protein-rich foods.
Some species have developed a technique to avoid war. They will forge chemical trails in their bodies. This helps them to recognize other colonies. They may even roll pebbles over the entrance to their nests.
Some ants, like the leaf-cutter ant, have studied AA raids. These raids have been observed by biologists. These ants are recruited to defend against AA. However, these raids are not always successful.
Another type of ant war involves battles between colonies of the same species. They have been observed in New Guinea. These battles last for several weeks. They have been studied by Bert Holldobler, Edward O. Wilson and other researchers. They have also been documented in California.
