Stuff You Should Know Ants! Part 2!
Jan 6, 2022
Discover the fascinating world of ants, including the remarkable lifespans of queen ants and their complex social structures. Learn about the intricate engineering of ant nests and the impacts of human activities on their habitats. Dive into the intriguing behaviors of army ants and the concept of super colonies, highlighting their cooperation and genetic diversity. Explore how ants communicate through pheromones, showcasing the sophistication of their societies. Get ready for some memorable anecdotes and playful banter between the hosts!
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Social Insects
- Social insects, like ants and bees, have complex societies.
- Despite their abundance, they represent only 2% of all insect species.
Queen Ant
- Queen ants are the sole reproductive females, significantly larger than workers, and can live for decades.
- Any female ant egg has the potential to become a queen, highlighting the role of diet and environment.
Male vs. Female Ants
- Male ants hatch from unfertilized eggs, live only a week, and exist solely to mate with the queen.
- Female worker ants live about a year, performing all other colony tasks.