The ant is one of the smallest inhabitants of our planet, but also the largest in a huge family of insects. Today, zoological science knows more than 12 thousand species of these nimble and amazing creatures.
Consider the largest representatives of the ant family, and at the end of the review we will see the largest ant in the world.
Formicium
We begin the review with the fossil species that inhabited the planet more than 30 million years ago, and is the oldest ancestor of all ants.
The individuals of this species were truly gigantic in comparison with their modern counterparts, because the females grew up to 7 centimeters in length. The wingspan reached up to 15 centimeters.
Today, the species has completely died out, and it was described in 1854, and isolated in a separate family of fossil insects. Only a few prints of this species were found, and as we see in the photo, the female is the size of a hummingbird.
Nothomyrmecia macrops
But this is the only living fossil ants living in the southern regions of Australia. Peers of dinosaurs grow from 0.9 to 1.2 millimeters.
It was first discovered and described by zoologists in 1934, but the second time a person met with a dinosaur ant only in 1977.
A way of life in places difficult to access for humans does not allow us to fully study the habits of this oldest of the ant family, and an amazing instance of wildlife.
Camponotus gigas
This species of large ants lives in Asia and belongs to the subfamily of the most advanced in evolutionary terms, called Formycins.
Adults grow to 2.9 centimeters, but the uterus of these ants grows to 3.1 centimeters. They can be found in the tropical, moist forests of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
They hunt at night in small groups of up to 10 ants. You can distinguish them by coloring. The body is black with a reddish back, but the legs are lighter, almost yellow.
Camponotus vagus
You can meet this absolutely black-colored woodcutter ant in the forests of Europe and in the northern regions of Asia. Working individuals grow up to 1.5 centimeters, but soldiers and uterus are larger - up to 20 millimeters.
These ants make intricate moves in tree trunks, and can harm the economy when harvesting wood. They hunt alone, although they prefer to cope with aphids in a flock.
In some regions of Russia, namely in Vladimir and Vologda regions, it is listed in the Red Book.
Camponotus herculeanus
Because of the red breast on the entire black body of these ants, they also call the red-chested wood-wearer. They grow up to 15 millimeters, but females, soldiers and the uterus are much larger - 2 centimeters.
In the fauna of Russia, it is the largest ant that makes nests either in the soil or in the trunks of dead trees. Of the characteristics of the lifestyle, we note that after the mating season, the males die, and the females, gnawing off their wings, create a new family, although this type of behavior is quite common for many species of ants.
In the Tambov region, it is listed in the Red Book and is protected by local environmental laws.
Paraponera clavata
A large tropical ant has chosen to inhabit the tropical forests of Central and Latin America. They can be found in Nicaragua, but the southernmost habitat - some regions of Peru.
Predatory ants grow from 18 to 25 millimeters and have a sharp sting. The bite of this species is very painful, in addition, poison released into the human body can cause allergies.
Some Native American tribes use them in a rite of passage, voluntarily allowing ants to bite their body.
Dinoponera
Even the name of this species is translated from ancient Greek as “terrible”. And indeed he is the largest in the Ponerina subfamily.
The dimensions are truly impressive, from 2 to 3 centimeters. This species also has the largest uterus and working individuals. They live in savannahs and tropical forests, hunting other insects, amphibians, as well as small fish and waterfowl.
When bitten, it releases a large amount of poison that paralyzes the victim, so it is best to avoid meeting him. The bite is very painful and causes discomfort.
Bulldog Ants
Large ants, and also the most dangerous ones, live in Australia. This genus of primitive insects with a human bite causes prolonged pain and allegorical reactions.
Adults grow up to 4 centimeters, but the uterus has a body length of 4.5 centimeters. On the head, huge jaws, which have a terrifying appearance, and gave the general name of the species of ants.
In addition to the jaws, there is a sting, with the help of which bulldog ants hunt, letting poison into the body of the victims. Another of the features is that, unlike their relatives on other continents, these can also jump.
In the video below you can see how the bulldog ant deals with the wasp.
Dorylus
This species is the largest, and these ants roam the open spaces of Africa, and grow up to 5 centimeters. Although it is worth recognizing that the average body size is from 4 to 4.4 centimeters.
In the anthill live up to 22 million individuals, and in the rainy seasons their huge army moves in search of food. An amazing sight when you meet such a huge cloud of migrating insects.
Local tribes even use the jaws of these insects to stitch the lacerated edges of wounds.
In conclusion, we report that many of the presented species in some countries of the world are widely used in the preparation of dishes and seasonings. So in Mexico, when preparing the national dish “Escamoles”, the larvae of Liometopum are used. But these ants themselves sell like caviar for $ 90 per kilogram.
Pictured: Mexican national dish of ant larvae
And in the countries of Latin America, the largest individuals are caught, then they are fried and eaten.
And finally, the last fact that ants are one of the most highly developed inhabitants of the earth, and their hard work and self-sacrifice for the sake of the colony can cause only respect.
Article author: Valery Skiba