ClassX Video Lessons What is an Ant Mill? | The Life and Death Cycle of An Ant | Learn all About Ants | Dr. Binocs Show
Ants are amazing little creatures with interesting lives and ways of working together. Let’s learn about how ants grow up, how they talk to each other, and a curious thing called the “ant mill.”
Ants start their lives as eggs. The queen ant lays lots of tiny, oval-shaped eggs underground in the colony. After about 7 to 14 days, these eggs hatch into larvae, which look like tiny, legless worms.
Once the larvae hatch, worker ants take care of them. They feed the larvae with special food that they bring up from their stomachs. This helps the larvae grow strong and healthy. As they grow, the larvae make silk threads and wrap themselves up in cocoons for protection.
Inside the cocoons, the larvae go through a big change called metamorphosis. They start to look like adult ants with eyes, wings, antennae, and legs. After six to ten weeks, they come out of the cocoons as adult ants. Most become worker ants, while some become males and queens to help the colony grow.
Ants talk to each other using special smells called pheromones. These smells tell other ants where to find food or warn them of danger. When an ant finds food, it leaves a pheromone trail back to the nest so other ants can follow it in a straight line.
Sometimes, ants can get confused and start walking in a circle, called an ant mill. This happens when an ant loses the main trail and other ants follow it, creating a loop. If they keep going in circles, they might get too tired and not find their way back home.
If you see ants walking in a straight line, it’s best to leave them alone. But if they’re stuck in a loop, you can gently use a stick to break the circle and help them find their way back. Be careful, as some ants can bite, and ask an adult for help if needed.
Did you know that the ant mill was first noticed in 1921 by a scientist named William B.B.? He saw a mill that was 1,200 feet around, and it took each ant 2.5 hours to go all the way around!
The life of an ant is a wonderful journey from egg to adult. They have special ways of working together and talking to each other. By learning about ants, we can appreciate these tiny creatures and know how to help them if they need it.
Ant Life Cycle Craft: Create a simple craft to represent the life cycle of an ant. Gather some colored paper, scissors, glue, and markers. Cut out shapes to represent each stage: egg, larva, cocoon, and adult ant. Arrange them in order on a piece of paper and label each stage. Discuss with your classmates or family how each stage is important for the ant’s development.
Pheromone Trail Experiment: Use a piece of string or yarn to create a “pheromone trail” in your backyard or a safe outdoor area. Place a small treat, like a piece of fruit, at the end of the trail. Observe how ants find the treat and follow the trail. Discuss how ants use pheromones to communicate and how this helps them find food and stay safe.
Ant Mill Observation: If you see ants outside, watch them for a few minutes. Are they walking in a straight line or in a circle? If you notice an ant mill, gently use a stick to break the circle and help them find their way back. Talk about why ants might get stuck in a loop and how you can help them. Remember to be gentle and ask an adult for help if needed.
