What Can You Ants Eat?
Whether you are looking for survival food, or just a treat, ants can be an amazing source of protein. The omnivores of the ant family can eat virtually anything. They are particularly attracted to protein, carbohydrates, and sweet foods. They also love to eat eggs, meat, animal matter, and seeds.
There are over a thousand different species of ants. Some are opportunistic feeders, eating anything that they can get their hands on, while others are hunter-gatherers, hunting down other insects.
There are also ant species that have painful stings. For example, red fire ants inject alkaloids when they bite. They can also cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction.
However, many people have eaten insects for centuries. The ant species Hormigas culones was first cultivated by the native Guane people in the 7th century. It has been eaten in Santander, Spain, for over a thousand years. The ants’ diet contains high levels of antioxidants, as well as unsaturated fatty acids, which help to prevent cancer.
Most species are opportunistic feeders. They will eat anything they can get their hands on to survive. They will also carry anything they can get back to the colony nest.
The leaves of plants are important to leafcutter ant species. These insects also eat insect larvae and eggs. They also eat other insect species and carrion.
Some ants will also eat honeydew, a sugary sticky liquid produced by aphids. Honeydew is also found on plants and cars.