I find awe in the way they interact and accomplish tasks as a whole colony that would be impossible for any single individual. And how some species have developed complex, specialized behaviours from the various Acromyrmex species that farm fungi or the genus of Solenopsis that build bridges over water. And they're fascinating to watch!
The idea that a single individual may not have the neurological framework to manage these complex behaviours that enable colonies to remember and optimize paths to sources of food over time is fascinating.
Formica Rufus! They have a caste system of workers. They farm aphids and plants, they have hunters, and they have builders. They build huge mounts out of deciduous and coniferous plant material around fallen trees. And yet rigid seeming as they are there have been observations where individuals within a caste that prefer certain kinds of tasks over others.
I really like spiders too but ants were my first fascination and I still really enjoy them. My kids and I love to catch and identify queens of various species in our area during nuptial flights. It's a lot of fun... sort of like real-like Pokemon.
I find awe in the way they interact and accomplish tasks as a whole colony that would be impossible for any single individual. And how some species have developed complex, specialized behaviours from the various Acromyrmex species that farm fungi or the genus of Solenopsis that build bridges over water. And they're fascinating to watch!
The idea that a single individual may not have the neurological framework to manage these complex behaviours that enable colonies to remember and optimize paths to sources of food over time is fascinating.
Formica Rufus! They have a caste system of workers. They farm aphids and plants, they have hunters, and they have builders. They build huge mounts out of deciduous and coniferous plant material around fallen trees. And yet rigid seeming as they are there have been observations where individuals within a caste that prefer certain kinds of tasks over others.
I really like spiders too but ants were my first fascination and I still really enjoy them. My kids and I love to catch and identify queens of various species in our area during nuptial flights. It's a lot of fun... sort of like real-like Pokemon.