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Ants are social insects that evolved from wasp-like ancestors between 110-130 million years ago. They form colonies that range in size from dozens to millions of individuals. Ant colonies consist of reproductive queens and males, as well as sterile female workers that carry out different tasks. Ants have colonized almost everywhere on Earth except Antarctica and some islands. Their social organization and ability to modify habitats has enabled their success in many ecosystems.

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38 views1 page

How To Upload: Ants Are

Ants are social insects that evolved from wasp-like ancestors between 110-130 million years ago. They form colonies that range in size from dozens to millions of individuals. Ant colonies consist of reproductive queens and males, as well as sterile female workers that carry out different tasks. Ants have colonized almost everywhere on Earth except Antarctica and some islands. Their social organization and ability to modify habitats has enabled their success in many ecosystems.

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Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae /frmsdi/ and, along with the
related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in
the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise
of flowering plants. More than 12,500 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been
classified.
[3][4]
They are easily identified by their elbowed antennae and the distinctive node-like
structure that forms their slender waists.
Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural
cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories and consist of millions of
individuals. Larger colonies consist mostly of sterile, wingless females forming castes of "workers",
"soldiers", or other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called
"drones" and one or more fertile females called "queens". The colonies sometimes are described
as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working
together to support the colony.
[5]

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants
are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in most ecosystems and may
form 1525% of the terrestrial animal biomass.
[6]
Their success in so many environments has been
attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend
themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic,
and mutualistic relationships.
[7]

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve
complex problems.
[8]
These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject
of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rituals. Some species
are valued in their role as biological pest control agents.
[9]
Their ability to exploit resources may bring
ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some
species, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), are regarded as invasive species,
establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.
[10]

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