AMERICAN GARDENER

Some ants develop wings during certain stages of their life cycle, particularly during the reproductive phase. These winged ants, often referred to as alates, are typically males and future queens. Their wings allow them to leave the nest and participate in mating flights, which help establish new colonies and maintain genetic diversity within populations. The … Read more

Some ants are well-known for releasing a strong and distinctive odor when crushed. This characteristic scent comes from chemicals stored in specialized glands, which are expelled when the ant is threatened or physically damaged. The smell can range from pungent and sour to sweet or citrus-like, depending on the species. It often serves as a … Read more

Some ants are specialized in feeding on wood, using it as both a food source and a material for nesting. Unlike termites, which digest cellulose directly, these ants chew through wood primarily to create tunnels and chambers for their colonies. Their wood-eating behavior allows them to establish complex nests inside dead trees, fallen logs, and … Read more

Ants that build mounds are well-known for creating impressive and complex structures above the ground. These mounds serve as protective homes for the colony, housing thousands of individuals in a highly organized system of tunnels and chambers. The size of the mound can vary from a few inches to several feet, depending on the species … Read more

Some ants are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night rather than the day. This behavior helps them avoid predators and extreme daytime heat, especially in warmer climates. At night, they leave their nests in search of food, often forming long, organized trails that can stretch across lawns, sidewalks, or even into … Read more

Some species of ants have developed a fascinating relationship with aphids that resembles agriculture. Instead of hunting or preying on them, these ants actively protect and care for aphids to harvest a sweet liquid called honeydew. This behavior, often described as “farming,” benefits both insects—the ants receive a reliable food source, and the aphids gain … Read more

Insects that eat aphids are an essential part of natural pest control in gardens, farms, and ecosystems. Aphids, though tiny, reproduce rapidly and can devastate plants by sucking sap, transmitting diseases, and causing leaves to curl or yellow. Fortunately, nature provides a variety of insect allies that keep aphid populations in check without the need … Read more

The phenomenon of “exploding ants” is a form of defensive behavior known as autothysis (from the Greek for “self-sacrifice”). This is not a voluntary action but a highly specialized, last-resort defense mechanism. When threatened by a predator or rival insect, these ants contract their abdominal muscles with such extreme force that their body wall ruptures, tearing them … Read more