In the intricate world of ants, a unique and brutal phenomenon exists: slavery. This practice, involving around 50 ant species, represents one of the most extreme forms of division of labor in nature. Among these, the Polyergus ants stand out as the most intense practitioners of this cruel trade.
Polyergus ants, ranging from 4 to 10 mm in length with brown to blackish bodies and sickle-shaped mandibles, have specialized in slavery to such an extent that they have lost the ability to care for themselves. They do not clean, build nests, care for their brood, or even feed themselves. Their sole purpose is raiding, with slaves making up 82-90% of their colonies. A few hundred Polyergus ants, along with a single queen, control thousands of slave ants.
On a mild summer morning, a lone Polyergus scout identifies a thriving colony of Formica ants, genetically related to Polyergus. This scout returns to her colony, spreading pheromones that excite and recruit a large raiding party. A well-organized column of a thousand warrior ants forms and moves towards the Formica nest.
Upon arrival, the attackers begin digging and clearing debris from the nest entrance, allowing hundreds of Polyergus ants to storm inside. Despite being formidable warriors, the Formica ants appear confused and scattered, unable to mount an effective defense. The attackers employ a unique form of chemical warfare, releasing a propaganda pheromone that causes panic among the defenders.
The goal of the raid is not to annihilate but to capture. The attackers breach deep into the colony, abducting hundreds of pupae and larvae, which are then taken back to the Polyergus colony to be turned into slaves.
Ants have conquered much of the planet over the past 100 million years, largely due to their social nature and chemical communication skills. Slave-making ants, however, are less social and have lost many of the genes necessary for effective communication.
Once the stolen Formica offspring are brought to the Polyergus colony, they are progressively covered in Polyergus pheromones, chemically imprinting them to behave as part of the colony. These new slaves work unconditionally, keeping the nest clean, caring for the next generation, and feeding their enslavers. This brainwashing is so effective that they treat free Formica ants as enemies.
Creating new Polyergus colonies is a complex process, as the workers are incapable of starting a new colony without slaves. There are two main strategies for establishing new colonies:
Once established, the new queen lays eggs that are cared for by the enslaved brood, eventually leading to new Polyergus ants that will continue the cycle of raids.
In the hidden world beneath our feet, the war of the ants rages on with wild and horrifying strategies. Polyergus ants will continue their relentless pursuit of slaves, as their survival depends on it. In this war, there is no surrender, only the constant struggle for dominance.
Gather materials like clay, cardboard, and paint to create a diorama depicting a Polyergus ant raid on a Formica colony. Include details such as the raiding party, the Formica nest, and the captured pupae. This will help you visualize and understand the complex interactions during a raid.
In groups, simulate the roles of different ants in a colony. Assign roles such as Polyergus scouts, raiders, and Formica defenders. Use this role-playing game to explore the strategies and tactics used during a raid, and discuss the outcomes and challenges faced by each group.
Research how ants communicate using pheromones and other methods. Create a presentation or poster to share your findings with the class. Focus on how Polyergus ants use chemical warfare and propaganda pheromones during raids.
Write a short story from the perspective of a Formica ant that has been captured and turned into a slave by the Polyergus colony. Describe the daily tasks, feelings, and interactions with both the enslavers and fellow slave ants.
Participate in a class debate on the ethical implications of slavery in the animal kingdom. Discuss whether human concepts of ethics and morality can be applied to nature, and what lessons we can learn from the behavior of slave-making ants.
Ants – Small insects that live in large groups and are known for their ability to work together to build nests and gather food. – Ants work together in a colony to find food and protect their queen.
Slavery – A condition where one organism is forced to work for another without any freedom, often seen in nature when certain ants capture and use other ants to do their work. – Some ant species practice a form of slavery by capturing ants from other colonies to do their work.
Colony – A group of the same species living together, often seen in insects like ants and bees, where they work collectively for survival. – The ant colony worked together to build tunnels and gather food for the winter.
Pheromones – Chemical signals released by animals, including insects, to communicate with others of the same species. – Ants use pheromones to leave trails that help other ants find food sources.
Communication – The process of sharing information, which in animals can include sounds, signals, or behaviors to convey messages. – Bees use a dance as a form of communication to tell other bees where to find flowers.
Larvae – The immature form of an insect that looks different from the adult and usually undergoes metamorphosis. – The butterfly larvae, or caterpillars, eat leaves before they transform into butterflies.
Brainwashing – A process where one organism influences another to change its behavior, sometimes seen in nature when parasites control their hosts. – Certain parasites can brainwash their hosts to behave in ways that benefit the parasite.
Strategy – A plan or method used to achieve a specific goal, often seen in animals as they hunt or protect themselves. – The lioness used a clever strategy to sneak up on her prey without being noticed.
Warriors – Members of a group, especially in social insects like ants, that are responsible for defending the colony. – The warrior ants protected their colony from intruders by forming a defensive line.
Environment – The surrounding conditions in which an organism lives, including all living and non-living things. – Frogs are very sensitive to changes in their environment, such as pollution or habitat loss.
