Ants

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Ants are fascinating insect. Ants have been on the Earth for at least 140 million years. There are over 12,500 identified species of ants and there could be another 10,000 ant species yet to be identified according to the Field Museum. Here are the latest posts about ants from Science, Space & Robots.

Resin Fossil of Ant-Mimicking Spider Discovered
Researchers have discovered a rare resin fossil of a spider that mimicks ants. It was preserved in copal is a less mature form of fossilized resin. (March 27, 2024)

Mystery Over Mass Elephant Deaths in Botswana
There are hundreds of elephants dying in Bostwana and experts are not yet sure why. (July 9, 2020)

Bagheera Kiplingi is a Predominantly Vegetarian Jumping Spider
Bagheera Kiplingi is a jumping spider species that has a diet that is primarily vegetarian. It prefers to consume Beltian bodies from acacia plants. (August 17, 2019)

Fire Ants Build Sinking Eiffel Towers When Trying to Escape
Scientists observe fire ants building sinking Eiffel towers when attempting to escape and they need to move vertically. (July 12, 2017)

Great Cormorants Can Hear Underwater
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have discovered that great cormorants can hear underwater. (June 12, 2017)

Ants Use the Sun for Guidance When Walking Backwards
Scientists have discovered that ants rely on the sun and their memories when walking backwards to their nest. (January 19, 2017)

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to Close in May 2017
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus will run its final performances in May 2017. The circus is closing after 146 years. (January 15, 2017)

Amazonian Frog's Skin Contains Chemicals That Mimic Ant Pheromones
An Amazonian frog has chemicals on its skin that mimics ant pheromones and lets it live among the ants. (October 20, 2016)

Little Devil Frog Vomits Up New Ant Species for Scientists
Scientists discovered a new species of ant inside the belly of a poison tree frog. (September 25, 2016)

New Golden Tree Ant Species from Hong Kong
Scientists have identified a new species of Golden Tree Ant from Hong Kong. It is named Paratopula bauhinia. (August 14, 2016)

New Spiny Ant Species Named After Game of Thrones Dragons
Two new species of ants with large spines were named after dragons in the Game of Thrones series. (July 27, 2016)

Study Finds Ants Turning Enemies Into Allies After War
A new study has found that some ant species turn enemy ants into allies after fierce battles. Acacia ants were involved in the study. (March 25, 2016)

Ancient Ant Battle Preserved in Amber
A battle between two different ant species was found preserved in 100-million-year-old amber. The amber is from Myanmar. (February 15, 2016)

Two New Door Head Ant Species Discovered in Africa
Two new species of door head ants have been discovered in Africa. The ants use their shield-shaped heads to block the entrance to their nests. (October 5, 2015)

Engineers Develop Micro-Tentacles for Tiny Robots
Engineers from Iowa State have developed micro-tentacles for tiny robots. The tentacles are so small they can be used to hold ants. (July 8, 2015)

Scientists Complete First Comprehensive Analysis of Woolly Mammoth Genome
Scientists have completed the first comprehensive analysis of the woolly mammoth genome and compared it to the genome of the Asian elephant. (July 5, 2015)

Six New Species of Dracula Ants Discovered in Madagascar and Seychelles
Six new species of Dracula ants have been discovered in Madagascar and Seychelles. The ants are very small in live underground or deep within leaf litter on the rainforest floor. (June 23, 2015)

Unique Reflective Hairs Keep Sarahan Silver Ants Cool
Scientists have discovered that sarahan silver ants have unique hairs hairs the help them stay cool in the hot desert sun. (June 19, 2015)

Festo Creates Robotic Ants and Butterflies
Festo is back with two new robots. These robots are based on ants and butterflies. (March 29, 2015)

Fire Ants Sailed the World on 16th Century Spanish Galleons
Scientists say fire ants sailed the world on 16th century Spanish galleons. These ships helped the ant spread to new tropical locations. (February 18, 2015)

Study Finds Pitcher Plants Switch Off Traps to Capture More Ants
A study has found that pitcher plants can temporarily swtich off their traps to capture more ants. (January 24, 2015)

Three New Begonia Plant Species Discovered in Brazil
Three new begonia plant species have been discovered in Brazil. They are thought to be native to Brazil. (January 17, 2015)

Dohrniphora Flies Decapitate Injured Ants
Scientists have discovered that Dohrniphora flies remove the heads of injured trap-jaw ants. (January 6, 2015)

Scientists Find Ants Prefer Left Turns When Exploring Unknown Spaces
Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered that ants have a left bias when exploring unknown spaces. (January 5, 2015)

Study Finds 42 Different Ant Species Inhabit New York City
There are at least 42 different types of ant species living in New York City according to a new study. (November 12, 2014)