Memory shapes behavior throughout the animal kingdom. This is true even for ants, which not only do not forget their enemies, but are also capable of holding a grudge against them, writes Study Finds. Scientists from the University of Freiburg conducted a study in which they noticed that ants are able to form long-term memories of hostile encounters. The insects can even become angry at members of colonies that have previously attacked them.
The study
The study was conducted on black garden ants, which are common in Europe. They live in colonies and often interact with neighboring groups. According to scientists, each anthill has its own unique chemical signature, or odor, that allows the ants to distinguish friend from foe. When confronted with rivals, the insects can open their jaws threateningly, bite or even spray acid to kill competitors.
The Tests
In a series of tests, the scientists exposed individual ants to encounters with insects from other colonies. These encounters lasted just one minute each day for five days. The researchers noticed that the ants were more aggressive toward individuals from colonies they had previously fought with, and less hostile toward insects they had never encountered. The scientists are confident that the ants are capable of forming special memories for their enemies.
The Findings
The more often the same insects meet, the more they fight, the researchers emphasize. In addition, the ants are more likely to attack individuals that live in colonies within their foraging range. “We often have the idea that insects function like programmed robots. “Our study provides new evidence that, on the contrary, ants also learn from their experiences and can harbor malice,” said researcher Dr. Volker Nehring from the Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology Group at the University of Freiburg.
Illustrative Photo by Syed Rajeeb: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-ants-928276/
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First published in this link of The European Times.
