EEK! Ants
In this article we will discuss ants. This is a perfect time of year to go outside and find ants to study.
Ants are insects and belong to larger group of creatures called arthropods. Other creatures in the arthropod family include the shrimp, lobster, crabs and spiders.
Ants, like all insects have three body parts and six legs. Ants also have a type of “waist“ called a petiole. This body part is unique to ants.
Insects do not have lungs. Instead insects have spiracles. Spiracles are tiny holes in the sides of the insect‘s body, in which they breathe through.
Insects also lack bones. Insects have what are referred to as exoskeletons. Their “bones” are actually the other part of their body. When making a bug collection the interior of the insect will decompose and the exoskeleton will remain. This allows us to study the body formation of the insect just as we would see it in nature. This exoskeleton is made of material similar to our hair and nails and protects the insect much like a suit of armor. This suit of armor also provides support for the insect as well as preventing it from drying out.
Ants are very strong and can carry over fifty times their body weight. An ant carrying a large twig is like you carrying a phone pole!
Ants are very important to our environment. Ants are omnivorous. This means that they eat both plants and animals. Many times ants eat insects which are harmful to our crops. In contrast, many creatures eat ants.
Ants have an interesting way of eating and serving meals to other ants. When an ant eats the food moves to the food pouch. Here the liquid is squeezed out of the food source. The ant will swallow the liquid and spit out the solid pieces. Owls also spit out the solid pieces and sometimes owl pellets can be found on the ground. These owl pellets will contain hair and bones from animals the owl has eaten.
After the liquid is swallowed, it travels to the crop. The crop is also called the social stomach. This ant will travel to other ants in the colony and find hungry friends. The ant will then regurgitate (throw up) the liquid into the mouth of the hungry ant. Yuck! Some of the liquid that was swallowed by the first ant will travel to it’s midgut and be digested. Some undigested products will pass through the ant as waste.
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