Ants are social insects that live together in organized communities called colonies. There are more than
10,000 different species of ants found almost everywhere in the world, but they are most common in hot
areas1. These remarkable creatures belong to the family Formicidae and are part of the order Hymenoptera.
Here are some key characteristics of ants:
Morphology:
Ants have geniculate (elbowed) antennae and a distinctive node-like waist that gives them their slender
appearance.
They range in size from 0.1 to 1 inch (225 mm) and come in various colors, including yellow, brown, red,
or black.
Colony Structure:
Ant colonies vary in size, from a few dozen predatory individuals to highly organized colonies with
millions of ants.
Larger colonies consist of different castes:
Queens head the colonies and lay thousands of eggs to ensure the nest's survival. They are typically larger
than workers.
Reproductive male ants mate with the queen and may die afterwards.
Workers are sterile, wingless females that never reproduce.
Ant colonies are often described as superorganisms, as ants work collectively to support the entire
colony.
Ecological Success:
Ants have colonized almost every landmass on Earth, except Antarctica and a few remote islands.
They thrive in moist tropical ecosystems and may exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals.
Their success is attributed to their social organization, ability to modify habitats, resource tapping,
and defense mechanisms.
In summary, ants are fascinating insects that exhibit complex behaviors, cooperation, and adaptability,
making them essential components of ecosystems worldwide.
