The world of ants and their incredible abilities 1

three-lesson series. 1 lesson.

The world of ants and their incredible abilities 1

Diversity of ant species

Ant family structure

Lifstyle

Ant body structure

Ant colonies are highly organized social systems that consist of three main castes: queens, workers, and males. Each caste has specific roles .

Ants have two stomachs, no lungs, no ears!

During colder months, ants often enter a state of dormancy or reduce their activity to conserve energy.

About 65 species can be found in Lithuania

There are about 14,000 species of ants in the world, which are found almost everywhere except Antarctica

nts are masters of adaptation, showcasing remarkable strategies to survive and thrive in diverse environments

There are about 14,000 species of ants in the world, which are found almost everywhere except Antarctica

Forest ants, can create colonies that contain hundreds of thousands or even millions of ants

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three-lesson series

The world of ants and their incredible abilities 2

Eating habits and sources of food

Ants and their ecological role

The uniqueness of Lithuanian ants

Threats and protection methods

Some ants carry seeds to their nests, eating the nutritious parts and leaving the rest to sprout, aiding plant growth

The main enemies: parasitic wasps, ants lions, birds, spiders, human.

Cold Adaptation: Lithuanian ants are well-adapted to the colder climate, with behaviors and nesting strategies that help them survive harsh winters.

8 Facts

About 65 species can be found in Lithuania

Ants are incredibly resilient insects, but they have many enemies, including humans.

Lithuania is home to around 49 species of ants, including well-known ones like Formica rufa (red wood ant) and Lasius niger (black garden ant)

Many ant species enjoy sweet foods, such as nectar or honeydew, which is secreted by aphids

Ants play a vital role in ecosystems, contributing to their health and balance in remarkable ways

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Mammals That Eat Ants

1.Anteaters. These specialized mammals are perhaps the most well-known ant predators. They have long snouts and sticky tongues that can extend up to 60 cm, allowing them to consume up to 30,000 ants daily 2 . Aardvarks. Native to Africa,they have strong claws for digging and a long tongue for catching ants and termites, similar to anteaters but more closely related to elephants 3. Black Bears. These omnivorous bears occasionally consume ants, especially larvae, along with a variety of other foods 4. Thrushes and woodpeckers also feed on ants.

Mammals That Eat Ants

1. Red ants are a diverse group of ant species, and they exhibit some fascinating traits and behaviors: 2. Painful Sting: Many red ants, like the Myrmica rubra (European red ant), are known for their painful sting, which they use to defend their colonies.3. Winged Swarms: During late summer, winged red ants swarm to mate and establish new colonies. 4. Predators and Scavengers: Red ants feed on small insects, organic debris, and sometimes seeds, playing a role in nutrient recycling 5. Aggressive Defenders: They are highly territorial and will fiercely protect their nests from intruders.

The queen is the reproductive leader of the colony. She lays eggs and ensures the continuation of the colony's population. Some colonies may have multiple queens, depending on the species.

Queen:

Males, also known as drones, have a singular purpose—to mate with the queen. After fulfilling this role, they typically die shortly afterward.

Males

These are sterile females responsible for various tasks, including foraging for food, caring for the queen and larvae, building and maintaining the nest, and defending the colony.

Workers

Ants are fascinating creatures with some truly unusual features:Super Strength: Ants can lift objects 10-50 times their own body weight, thanks to their proportionally larger muscles. Two Stomachs: They have a "social stomach" to store food for sharing with other ants. No Lungs: Instead of lungs, ants breathe through tiny holes called spiracles located on their exoskeleton. No Ears: Ants sense vibrations through their feet to "hear". Chemical Communication: They use pheromones to leave trails, warn of danger, and guide others. Ancient Survivors: Ants have existed for over 100 million years, even alongside dinosaurs

15 Mind-Blowing Facts

Tiny Creatures, Big Surprises!

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Enemies:

• Ant lions are predatory larvae that dig sand pits and wait for ants to fall into them.
• Parasitic wasps - for example, wasps of the Chalcidoidea family can lay their eggs in ant larvae, using them as a food source for their offspring.
• Spiders - many species of spiders hunt ants using traps or quick reflexes.
• Birds - some bird species, such as thrushes and woodpeckers, enjoy ant protein in their diet.
• Humans - ants often become unwanted in households, so humans use various methods to control them.

Top 10 Ant Enemies

Enemies and defense of the ants

1. Seasonal Changes: During colder months, ants often enter a state of dormancy or reduce their activity to conserve energy. In warmer seasons, they become highly active, foraging and expanding their colonies. 2. Environmental Adaptations: Ants have evolved to live in various habitats, from rainforests to deserts. For example, desert ants can withstand extreme heat by foraging during the hottest part of the day, avoiding predators. 3. Survival Tactics: Ants use pheromones for communication, navigation, and defense. Some species even kidnap larvae from other colonies, integrating them into their own. 4. Ecological Role: Ants contribute to soil health by aerating it through their tunneling activities, which improve water infiltration and nutrient cycling

Ant lion larva

What do ants eat?

Ants often feed on other insects, their larvae, or even small vertebrates. Some species, such as harvester ants, collect seeds and plant parts. Leaf-cutting ants grow fungi using leaves as a substrate. Ants often scavenge for food scraps or even steal food from humans. Ants protect aphids from predators in exchange for the honeydew they secrete. Some ants feed on dead animals, helping the ecosystem recycle nutrients. Some species feed on fruits, which provide both energy and moisture. Ants are opportunistic and can eat almost anything, depending on the environment

What do ants eat

In Lithuania

Ants play a vital role in ecosystems

1. Soil Aeration: Ants dig tunnels that help aerate the soil, allowing water and oxygen to reach plant roots. 2. Seed Dispersal: Some ants carry seeds to their nests, eating the nutritious parts and leaving the rest to sprout, aiding plant growth. 3. Nutrient Recycling: By feeding on organic material and dead organisms, ants help recycle nutrients back into the soil. 4. Pest Control: Ants prey on harmful insects, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem. 5. Food Web Contribution: Ants serve as food for many animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals, forming a crucial link in the food chain

Harvardforest

The Diversity of Ant Species

Ants are among the most fascinating and successful creatures on Earth, thriving in almost every corner of the planet. With around 14,000 known species (and likely many more yet to be discovered), ants showcase an incredible diversity in their structure, behavior, and ecological roles. Ants Around the World From the vast rainforests of the Amazon to the arid deserts of Africa, ants have adapted to an astounding variety of environments. Each species has unique characteristics that allow it to survive in its specific habitat. For example, leafcutter ants of Central and South America are famous for their ability to cut and carry leaves much larger than themselves, which they use to cultivate fungus as their primary food source. Meanwhile, Sahara desert ants endure extreme heat by foraging during the hottest part of the day, avoiding predators in the process.

Britanica encyclopedia

Diversity in Lithuania