What Do Ants Release When They Die?

Unlike humans, ants do not have complex feelings, although they do use chemical signals. The chemical, called pheromones, is used to tell other ants where the dead ant is. Pheromones can also signal the existence of food sources.

The chemical oleic acid is released by the dead ant. This chemical smells rotten. Other ants respond to the oleic acid smell by looking for dead ants. The dead ant is then carried away to a midden, a structure where ants bury their waste.

The chemical oleic acid also helps live ants leave the colony. This is because ants prefer the protein in decaying corpses. In turn, the fungus that is growing inside the dead ant produces sugars.

The dead ant is then placed in a midden, a structure similar to a dumpster. Ants use the midden to prevent infection from spreading to their nest.

Ants also use the midden as a way to protect their queen. The queen is in charge of reproduction and if she dies, the colony will stop producing new members.

The dead ant is then carried away to the midden and laid out for two days. This process is called necrophoresis. Necroptosis is a scientific term, but it does not mean the dead ant is actually dead. It also does not mean the dead ant is dangerous.

Necroptosis is a technique used to move dead ants away from the colony. In a study by David P. Hughes and colleagues, they documented the precise control the fungus has over the victim. It uses specialized abilities to get ants to do its bidding. The authors described this process in The American Naturalist.