Just ran across a really interesting read. There are some ants that detonate and release a chemical substance that immobilizes and kills other ants nearby. Picture included in the link.
There doesn't seem to be too much information on the topic. There are some papers in peer reviewed journals for those who are really interested.
I've always found these sorts of things very interesting. Nature never ceases to amaze me and some evolutionary traits are awesome, especially those found on insects. Ants are particularly amazing. They're capable of a wide variety of incredible feats (I remember reading about ants that form some sort of raft to cross water to name one) for such a small insect Things like this make me wish I could fit entomology into my school schedule... damn you timetable.
Yeah, like bombadier beatles, these particular ants native to southeast Asia mix two chemicals together and explode in a shower of burning acidic goo. Not much too it really, it tears itself open and mixes the two chemicals and boom.
There's also another species of ant that does not produce workers, only warriors. It gets workers by raiding the nests of other ants and stealing their young.
that is amazing! the other day that stealth bomber from the UK was unveiled (like a banshee kind of) and now a baneling. just wait for Zealots or DTs. Then we are truly screwed.
Nice find! Someone posted a link a few months ago to a "real life medivac" as well. I don't know how many people saw it (it was in blogs) so here it is again
On July 14 2010 11:00 Antisocialmunky wrote: Yeah, like bombadier beatles, these particular ants native to southeast Asia mix two chemicals together and explode in a shower of burning acidic goo. Not much too it really, it tears itself open and mixes the two chemicals and boom.
There's also another species of ant that does not produce workers, only warriors. It gets workers by raiding the nests of other ants and stealing their young.
The "ants that form some sort of raft to cross water" referenced in the OP actually live in the Southeast United States (I forget what they're called), and they build their hives in such a way that if there is a flood the entire hive floats and protects the queen. Really awesome.
Not as dramatic as I was hoping for, but still pretty awesome.
Ants are pretty fucking sweet though, there are ants that do things that we'd normally only think humans could. There are ants that herd aphids. HERD THEM.
On July 14 2010 12:08 [Garlic] wrote: The "ants that form some sort of raft to cross water" referenced in the OP actually live in the Southeast United States (I forget what they're called), and they build their hives in such a way that if there is a flood the entire hive floats and protects the queen. Really awesome.
On July 14 2010 12:08 [Garlic] wrote: The "ants that form some sort of raft to cross water" referenced in the OP actually live in the Southeast United States (I forget what they're called), and they build their hives in such a way that if there is a flood the entire hive floats and protects the queen. Really awesome.
On July 14 2010 12:08 [Garlic] wrote: The "ants that form some sort of raft to cross water" referenced in the OP actually live in the Southeast United States (I forget what they're called), and they build their hives in such a way that if there is a flood the entire hive floats and protects the queen. Really awesome.
Oh jeez, just watching those ants for a few mins running around... they eventually looked into zerglings. I call worker imba, hes not supposed to take down a soldier that easy. (That some serious stuff in the OP, didn't think they'd have a suicide ant like banelings...)
This makes Zerg look nooby in comparison o.O Somehow reminds me of my idea of a Zerg-tier2-swarm unit; spawning 10 at a time... Too small to kill 'em all! Ants are obviously outrageously skilled at doing anything related to pillaging and travelling - kinda like vikings now that I think about it...
On July 14 2010 11:15 SonuvBob wrote: 1: Make TL the best SC site (Complete) 2: Turn real life into SC (In Progress) 3. TL becomes the best site in the world! (Profit?)
Ants are the coolest. Ever since I was a kid I've been amazed by the way they work as a team to get stuff done.
I swear there is true intelligence in the hives, they're just so small compared to us that there can be no communication between the races. I bet they lead pretty interesting lives.
On July 14 2010 12:04 heroyi wrote: i really wanna get the book "adventures among ants."
can anyone else that knows more about interesting ants fact post :D.
I encourage you to seek out and purchase the book Introduction to Ants by Bert Hölldobler & E.O. Wilson. I am not sure about the name of the book in english, as I've only read it in czech, but there's two books by these guys - The Ants which is huge and complex, and a shorter, more popular version. If you're interested in ants I recommend that shorter version - some of the most incredible events from the ant empire are described there along with nice ilustrations and photos.
The author speaks here to give you an idea of what to expect in the book. : + Show Spoiler +
Btw. ants can fly yo - for a while, but they can, both male and female. They lose their wings soon after.
On July 14 2010 12:08 [Garlic] wrote: The "ants that form some sort of raft to cross water" referenced in the OP actually live in the Southeast United States (I forget what they're called), and they build their hives in such a way that if there is a flood the entire hive floats and protects the queen. Really awesome.
On July 20 2010 03:25 Chairman Ray wrote: Wow, I wonder how many of those are needed to bust a human
wouldn't it be funny if it took 2 of those doing 35damages to kill human(45hp)? you're minding your own business reading a book or something, and 2 of those tiny ants goes off on your foot, and all of a sudden your body burns down with green flame!
On July 14 2010 11:00 Rkie wrote: that is amazing! the other day that stealth bomber from the UK was unveiled (like a banshee kind of) and now a baneling. just wait for Zealots or DTs. Then we are truly screwed.
boy, the definition of terrorism certainty has evolved rapidly huh? the article uses it in their own way as liberally as the the f word is used by ppl.
suicide bombing =/= terrorism, just as guerrilla warfare =/= terrorism just as airplane bombing =/= terrorism. terrorism refers to the motive and the purpose. not whether u threw a left jab or a right uppercut.
those banelings didn't go to the ants colony and start attacking key targets in hopes of instilling fear into the ants as their strategy.
hey, if ur the underdog and fighting a giant, why not go for the most effective point? terrorism = guerrilla warfare of the 21st century. the British looked down on those coward rebels for chipping away at the British army while minimizing their risk of dying, and now we're shunning scorn upon the enemy for being most efficient with their attacks too. hell we may as well condemn vulture harassment and reaver drops and any form of micro whatsoever.
EPT
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