Article 2JWTQ Injured ants get rescued after sending chemical SOS, researchers find

Injured ants get rescued after sending chemical SOS, researchers find

by
Nicola Davis
from on (#2JWTQ)

Human army like behaviour of rescuing mates observed in ants raiding termite mounds where pheromone secretion acts as distress call

It sounds like a heroic tale from a classic wartime movie: the rescue of an injured warrior on the battlefield so that they can fight another day. In fact, it is behaviour seen in ants.

Researchers have found that a termite-eating species of ant, called Megaponera analis, carries wounded compatriots back from the field.

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