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Table of Contents
Ants
Over 20,000 species
There are over 20,000 species of ants in the world. Of this number, 12,500 species have been classified to date. 1)
Communication
Ants communicate with each other using chemicals called pheromones. This is how they can warn each other of danger or tell each other how to get to where the food is. 2)
One task of the males
The males, or Mr. Ants, have only one task to perform. This is to copulate with the queen. After completing his task, Mr. Ant can die peacefully. His mission is accomplished. 3)
130 million years ago
Ants appeared on Earth at about the same time as plants, 130 million years ago. Humans did not appear on our planet until 2 million years ago. 4)
Ants and aphids
Like humans, ants also have their animals that they graze. They watch over and protect the aphids, which in return produce food - honeydew. 5)
Mycocepurus smithi
Mycocepurus smithi ants are a species with no males. It is the only species that reproduce asexually. Within the Mycocepurus smithi species, there are only genetically identical females. 6)