A species of caterpillar can fool ants into thinking it's the queen ant, and receive the royal treatment.
Why this matters: These ants have a sophisticated method for communicating with each other - the article mentions smell and sound. It's not just one channel of sound, either; worker ants have a different sound than queen ants, and they respond appropriately. Being social creatures, communication is key between ants. A parasite - a caterpillar - copies the noises of a queen ant, and successfully gains resources it wouldn't otherwise have.
Ants are fairly simple creatures, as are caterpillars. But there is a whole series of complicated adaptations, communications and deceptions going on that is far from obvious to us. Studying the natural world reveals some amazing interactions and abilities, and puts our own into perspective.
I wish people could be like ants, organized.
Posted by: hanimant patio furniture | April 17, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Ants are fairly simple creatures, as are caterpillars. But there is a whole series of complicated adaptations, communications and deceptions going on that is far from obvious to us. Studying the natural world reveals some amazing interactions and abilities, and puts our own into perspective.
Posted by: cheap nfl jerseys | September 07, 2011 at 01:16 AM