Crazy Ants Can Neutralize Venom of Fire Ants
- 10 years ago
Both fire ants and crazy ants are invasive species that are indigenous to South America, but are now battling it out in the southeastern region of the United States. Fire ant bites carry venom that is reportedly two to three times more toxic than DDT,but crazy ants are able to neutralize the venom by releasing a chemical that also drives the fire ants into retreat.
Both fire ants and crazy ants are invasive species that are indigenous to South America, but are now battling it out in the southeastern region of the United States.
Fire ant bites carry venom that is reportedly two to three times more toxic than DDT, but crazy ants are able to neutralize the venom by releasing a chemical that also drives the fire ants into retreat.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin studied the interaction between fire ants and crazy ants.
Ed LeBrun, a research associate at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory in UT Austin's College of Natural Sciences is quoted as saying: “The crazy ants charged into the fire ants, spraying venom. When the crazy ants were dabbed with fire ant venom, they would go off and do this odd behavior where they would curl up their gaster, an ant's modified abdomen, and touch their mouths.”
Crazy ants are a nuisance because they get into smartphones and other electronic devices causing damage and they are killing off other species of insects in addition to fire ants.
Both fire ants and crazy ants are invasive species that are indigenous to South America, but are now battling it out in the southeastern region of the United States.
Fire ant bites carry venom that is reportedly two to three times more toxic than DDT, but crazy ants are able to neutralize the venom by releasing a chemical that also drives the fire ants into retreat.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin studied the interaction between fire ants and crazy ants.
Ed LeBrun, a research associate at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory in UT Austin's College of Natural Sciences is quoted as saying: “The crazy ants charged into the fire ants, spraying venom. When the crazy ants were dabbed with fire ant venom, they would go off and do this odd behavior where they would curl up their gaster, an ant's modified abdomen, and touch their mouths.”
Crazy ants are a nuisance because they get into smartphones and other electronic devices causing damage and they are killing off other species of insects in addition to fire ants.