ant

Ants, wasps and bees belong to the order Hymenoptera [膜翅目]. Ants are easily identified by their elbowed antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.

Ants form colonies [群体] that range in size from a few dozen predatory individuals living in small natural cavities [洞] to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories [领地] and consist of millions of individuals.

Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called "drones" and one or more fertile females called "queens".

Ants are found on all continents except Antarctica, and only a few large islands, such as Greenland, Iceland, parts of Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands lack native ant species.

An ant's head contains many sensory organs. Like most insects, ants have compound eyes made from numerous tiny lenses attached together. Ant eyes are good for acute movement detection, but do not offer a high resolution image.

Most ants are predatory and some prey on and obtain food from other social insects including other ants. Some species specialise in preying on termites while a few prey on other ants. Some termites form associations with certain ant species to keep away predatory ant species.

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rituals. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents.

Ants perform many ecological roles that are beneficial to humans, including the suppression of pest populations and aeration of the soil. The use of weaver ants in citrus cultivation in southern China is considered one of the oldest known applications of biological control.

In some parts of the world (mainly Africa and South America), large ants, especially army ants, are used as surgical sutures. The wound is pressed together and ants are applied along it. The ant seizes the edges of the wound in its mandibles and locks in place. The body is then cut off and the head and mandibles remain in place to close the wound.

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