When infected by a fungal disease, ant pupae actively emit a chemical cue that prompts workers to get rid of them for the ...

The research focused on Lasius neglectus, a species of garden ant. Unlike adult workers, which can leave the nest to die when ...

The antibiotic compounds in their saliva could potentially help scientists find new treatments. By Laura Baisas Published Jan 3, 2024 12:00 PM EST Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 ...

Example of wound care performed with metapleural gland secretions collected from the gland of the individual providing care. The infected ant is marked in white. We first observe wound care by the ...

Worker garden ants (Lasius neglectus) opening the cocoon of an infected pupa that has sent out a chemical signal to remove it. Photo by Christopher D. Pull/ISTA It has been confirmed that ant pupae ...

Ant colonies operate as tightly coordinated “superorganisms” with individual ants working together, much like the cells of a body, to ensure their collective health. Researchers at the Institute of ...

Adult ants that have been infected with deadly pathogens often leave the colony to die so as not to infect others. But, “like infected cells in tissue, [young ants] are largely immobile and lack this ...

An international research team reports that, given the same genetic makeup, individual behavior alone determines whether or not an individual in a social group will contract a disease. Clonal raider ...

Ants have a gland that makes an antibiotic, and use it in response to pheromones. 1) We will figure out how to replicate the antibiotic they produce. 2) We will then use it and abuse it. 3) The ...

The African Matabele ants are often injured in fights with termites. Their conspecifics recognize when the wounds become infected and initiate antibiotic treatment. The Matabele ants (Megaponera ...