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ANT

Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae /fɔr ̍m ɪ s ɨd iː/ and,

along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera.

Ants eoled  from wasp!li"e ancestors in the mid!#retaceous  period

between $$% and $&% million years ago and diersi'ed after the rise of 

(owering plants. )ore than $*,+%% of an estimated total of **,%%% species

hae been classi'ed. hey are easily identi'ed by their elbowed antennae

and the distinctie node!li"e structure that forms their slender waists.

Ants form colonies that range in si-e from a few do-en predatory

indiiduals liing in small natural caities to highly organised colonies that

may occupy large territories and consist of millions of indiiduals. arger

colonies consist mostly of sterile, wingless females forming castes of wor"ers, soldiers, or other specialised groups. 0early all ant colonies

also hae some fertile males called drones and one or more fertile

females called 1ueens. he colonies sometimes are described as

superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a uni'ed entity,

collectiely wor"ing together to support the colony.

Ants hae colonised almost eery landmass on 2arth. he only places

lac"ing indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable

islands. Ants thrie in most ecosystems and may form $+3*+4 of the

terrestrial animal  biomass. heir success in so many enironments has

been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify

habitats, tap resources, and defend themseles. heir long co!eolution

with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic, and

mutualistic relationships.

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Ant societies hae diision of labour, communication between indiiduals,

and an ability to sole comple5 problems. hese parallels with human

societies hae long been an inspiration and sub6ect of study. )any human

cultures ma"e use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rituals. 7omespecies are alued in their role as biological pest control agents. heir

ability to e5ploit resources may bring ants into con(ict with humans,

howeer, as they can damage crops and inade buildings. 7ome species,

such as the red imported 're ant  8Solenopsis invicta9, are regarded as

inasie species, establishing themseles in areas where they hae been

introduced accidentally.

Ants are distinct in their morphology from other insects in haing

elbowed antennae, metapleural glands, and a strong constriction of their

second abdominal segment into a node!li"e petiole. he head, mesosoma,

and metasoma are the three distinct body segments. he petiole forms a

narrow waist between their mesosoma 8thora5 plus the 'rst abdominal

segment, which is fused to it9 and gaster 8abdomen less the abdominal

segments in the petiole9. he petiole may be formed by one or two nodes

8the second alone, or the second and third abdominal segments9.

:ull ant  showing the powerful mandibles and the relatiely large

compound eyes that proide e5cellent ision

i"e other insects, ants hae an e5os"eleton, an e5ternal coering that

proides a protectie casing around the body and a point of attachment

for muscles, in contrast to the internal s"eletons of humans and other

ertebrates. ;nsects do not hae lungs< o5ygen and other gases such as

carbon dio5ide  pass through their e5os"eleton ia tiny ales called

spiracles. ;nsects also lac" closed blood essels< instead, they hae a long,

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thin, perforated tube along the top of the body 8called the dorsal aorta9

that functions li"e a heart, and pumps haemolymph toward the head, thus

driing the circulation of the internal (uids. he nerous system consists

of a entral nere cord that runs the length of the body, with seeralganglia and branches along the way reaching into the e5tremities of the

appendages.

=iagram of a wor"er ant 8Pachycondyla verenae9

Head

An ant>s head contains many sensory organs. i"e most insects, ants hae

compound eyes made from numerous tiny lenses attached together. Ant

eyes are good for acute moement detection, but do not o?er a high

resolution image. hey also hae three small ocelli 8simple eyes9 on the

top of the head that detect light leels and polari-ation. #ompared to

ertebrates, most ants hae poor!to!mediocre eyesight and a few

subterranean species are completely blind. 7ome ants such as Australia>s

bulldog ant, howeer, hae e5cellent ision and are capable of 

discriminating the distance and si-e of ob6ects moing nearly a metre

away.

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 wo antennae 8feelers9 are attached to the head< these organs detect

chemicals, air currents, and ibrations< they also are used to transmit and

receie signals through touch. he head has two strong 6aws, the

mandibles, used to carry food, manipulate ob6ects, construct nests, andfor defence. ;n some species a small poc"et 8infrabuccal chamber9 inside

the mouth stores food, so it may be passed to other ants or their larae.

Legs

All si5 legs are attached to the mesosoma 8thora59. A hoo"ed claw at the

end of each leg helps ants to climb and to hang onto surfaces.

Wings

@nly reproductie ants, 1ueens and males, hae wings. ueens shed the

wings after the nuptial (ight, leaing isible stubs, a distinguishing feature

of 1ueens. Bingless 1ueens 8ergatoids9 and males occur in a few species,

howeer.

Metasoma

 he metasoma  8the abdomen9 of the ant houses important internal

organs, including those of the reproductie, respiratory 8tracheae9, and

e5cretory systems. Bor"ers of many species hae their egg!laying

structures  modi'ed into stings  that are used for subduing prey  and

defending their nests.

ife #ycle of Ants

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;ndiidual ants haing complete metamorphosis in its deelopment. he

eggs are ery small and white li"e mil". ara newly hatched larae are

white li"e the head narrows towards the front. he 'rst larae are fed by

the adults, larae fed by the ne5t generation of wor"ers. Haing enough to

eat and some times molting 8molting9 will turn into a pupa. Cupa shape as

adults but more soft, creamy white, and not actie. 7ome species,

pupanya eiled by sil" cocoon. Adults will appear in a few hours or days

and will undergo a process of hardening and dar"ening of the cuticle. he

deelopment from egg to adult stage ranged oer D wee"s, depending on

the species, aailability of food, temperature, season and other factors