Difference between revisions of "Ant"
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| − | [[Image:Harvester-ants.jpg|thumb|205px|right|19th century [[Europe | + | [[Image:Harvester-ants.jpg|thumb|205px|right|19th century [[Europe]]an naturalists were wrong about ant behavior. The [[Bible]] was correct about ant behavior.<ref>http://ed5015.tripod.com/BWilliamsvsAnon71to73.htm</ref>]] |
'''Ants''' are social [[insects]] that live in highly organized colonies that include workers, drones, and [[queen]]s. Considered a highly successful insect, ants have colonized all parts of the world except for [[Greenland]], [[Antarctica]] and [[Iceland]]. Ants are classified part of the ''Hymenoptera'' family of species with [[bee]]s and [[wasp]]s and this similarity is evident in their similar social structure. There are over 12,000 known species of ants in the world [http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu:210/hymenoptera/tsa.sppcount?the_taxon=Formicidae]. | '''Ants''' are social [[insects]] that live in highly organized colonies that include workers, drones, and [[queen]]s. Considered a highly successful insect, ants have colonized all parts of the world except for [[Greenland]], [[Antarctica]] and [[Iceland]]. Ants are classified part of the ''Hymenoptera'' family of species with [[bee]]s and [[wasp]]s and this similarity is evident in their similar social structure. There are over 12,000 known species of ants in the world [http://atbi.biosci.ohio-state.edu:210/hymenoptera/tsa.sppcount?the_taxon=Formicidae]. | ||
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Highly organized, ant colonies are coordinated by the release of [[pheromones]] - chemical signals passed between individuals that allow information to be passed around the colony. Pheremones can be used for such diverse purposes as: marking trails, identifying which task group an ant belongs to, triggering alarms, and even spreading confusion among invading colonies. | Highly organized, ant colonies are coordinated by the release of [[pheromones]] - chemical signals passed between individuals that allow information to be passed around the colony. Pheremones can be used for such diverse purposes as: marking trails, identifying which task group an ant belongs to, triggering alarms, and even spreading confusion among invading colonies. | ||
| − | Most ant colonies have male and female ants in highly specialised roles, such as queen, worker, etc. Some species of ant do not have any males at all, and reproduce asexually<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7998931.stm BBC News: Ants]</ref> | + | Most ant colonies have male and female ants in highly specialised roles, such as queen, worker, etc. Some species of ant do not have any males at all, and reproduce asexually.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7998931.stm BBC News: Ants]</ref> |
== Relationship with humans == | == Relationship with humans == | ||
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== Intelligent design == | == Intelligent design == | ||
| − | Creation scientists see the complex social behavior of ants to be evidence for an [[intelligent design]]er. <ref>[http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/insects.html Incredible insects of the rain forest]</ref> | + | Creation scientists see the complex social behavior of ants to be evidence for an [[intelligent design]]er.<ref>[http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/insects.html Incredible insects of the rain forest]</ref> |
== Ants in fiction and the Bible == | == Ants in fiction and the Bible == | ||
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Observe that the Bible gets the gender of worker ants correctly whereas Aesop's ant character was originally personified using the incorrect masculine pronouns. | Observe that the Bible gets the gender of worker ants correctly whereas Aesop's ant character was originally personified using the incorrect masculine pronouns. | ||
| − | [[Category: Insects]] | + | [[Category:Insects]] |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
| − | ==External | + | ==External links== |
*[http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/hymenoptera.html Hymenoptera: ants, bees and wasps] | *[http://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/hymenoptera.html Hymenoptera: ants, bees and wasps] | ||
Revision as of 23:39, June 24, 2016
Ants are social insects that live in highly organized colonies that include workers, drones, and queens. Considered a highly successful insect, ants have colonized all parts of the world except for Greenland, Antarctica and Iceland. Ants are classified part of the Hymenoptera family of species with bees and wasps and this similarity is evident in their similar social structure. There are over 12,000 known species of ants in the world [1].
Contents
Colony organization
Highly organized, ant colonies are coordinated by the release of pheromones - chemical signals passed between individuals that allow information to be passed around the colony. Pheremones can be used for such diverse purposes as: marking trails, identifying which task group an ant belongs to, triggering alarms, and even spreading confusion among invading colonies.
Most ant colonies have male and female ants in highly specialised roles, such as queen, worker, etc. Some species of ant do not have any males at all, and reproduce asexually.[2]
Relationship with humans
While commonly seen as pests, ants actually have many benefits for human agriculture including pest control, and aerating soil, and even collecting seeds for farmers. They also regarded as food by many cultures - ant larvae known as escamoles in parts of Mexico are regarded as a kind of caviar, and can sell for as much as $80 per kilo [2]. Remarkably, in some parts of the world Army Ants are even used as rudimentary sutures, their powerful jaws clamping wounds together to assist healing [3].
Intelligent design
Creation scientists see the complex social behavior of ants to be evidence for an intelligent designer.[3]
Ants in fiction and the Bible
Ants have often been cited in pagan parables as well as secular stories for their hard work. For example, in Aesop's fable about the ant and the grasshopper. They are also mentioned in the Bible:
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 (KJV)
Observe that the Bible gets the gender of worker ants correctly whereas Aesop's ant character was originally personified using the incorrect masculine pronouns.
