Ant
Ant
Ant (/ænt/), from the Old English ǣmette, is a common type of insect belonging to the family Formicidae and order Hymenoptera. Ants are found worldwide but are especially common in hot climates. They range in size from about 2 to 25 mm (about 0.08 to 1 inch).
Etymology
The word "ant" is derived from ǣmette, an Old English term. The term has Germanic roots, with cognates in a number of Germanic languages, including the Old High German āmeiza. The ultimate origin of the term is uncertain.
Characteristics
Ants have a slender waist and elbowed antennae. They are social insects, which means they live in large colonies or groups. Some colonies consist of millions of ants. There are more than 12,000 species of ants all over the world.
Behavior
Ants communicate and cooperate by using chemicals that can alert others to danger or lead them to a promising food source. They typically eat nectar, seeds, fungus, or insects. However, some species have diets that are more unusual. Ants can carry 20 times their own body weight.
Related Terms
- Queen ant: The female parent of most of the ants in a colony, who can live for up to 15 years.
- Worker ant: Sterile ants who gather food, maintain the nest, and care for the young.
- Soldier ant: Larger ants that protect the colony from threats.
- Ant colony: A community of ants, working together for the survival and success of the group.
- Ant hill: A pile of earth, sand, pine needles, or clay built by ants near the entrance of their underground dwellings.
- Ant farm: A vivarium which is used for the study or observation of ant colonies and their behavior.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ant
- Wikipedia's article - Ant
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