What do ants eat in nature?

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

The most numerous family of insects in the world are ants. In addition, there are many types into which they are divided. Currently, there are about 6 thousand species of this insect. However, it is likely that not all species in the world have been studied. They belong to the Hymenoptera family. A feature is the presence of a stalk of one or two segments, located between the abdomen and breast. What do ants eat? Like almost all hymenopteran insects, they feed on protein and carbohydrate foods. Proteins are for larvae and fertile females, while carbohydrates are for adult life.

So what do ants eat? Various insects are used as protein food, which are mined by working individuals. It is also taken from the seeds of plants or mushrooms. Part of the protein is eaten by adult ants, as the females feed on the secretions of the salivary glands of worker insects. The larvae also feed. Sometimes they also get pieces of insects brought by working males.

And what do ants eat to get carbohydrates? The source of these substances can be sugar on flowers, tree sap, and so on. However, the most favorite delicacy that ants love so much in nature is aphids. insectsmilky juices are secreted, which are eaten by adults. Therefore, ants guard aphids, which are harmful insects. That is why many gardeners remove ants from their plots.

It is worth noting that what ants eat depends on their species. One of the most common are dairy farmers. Their distinctive feature is that they, like people, contain pets (aphids, plant lice), from which they collect milk. At the same time, ants protect their herd from the invasion of other insects.

There is also a species of reapers that feed on plant seeds, cereals, dry fruits and berries. All this is stored in an anthill for the winter. This species of insect is found mainly in the steppes.

There is also a species of ants that is used by their relatives for certain purposes. So, there are miller ants, or chewers. Their purpose is to grind various seeds, grains, etc., brought by other insect species. After that, the individuals are killed by ants, which eliminate excess feeders.

There are ants that cultivate (cultivate) the land for the growth of mushrooms. This is due to the fact that this type of insect uses mushrooms as its food.

There are also leaf-cutting ants that collect leaves, take them to their dwelling, where they roll into lumps. Special fungi grow on the surface of such balls, which feed on ants. And there are typeswhich store food supplies that feed other individuals.

In general, ants are a secret force of nature that has not yet been fully explored. These amazing insects bring both benefit and harm to nature. But still, ants are an important link in the life of fauna and flora.