Ant Wars I

Ant wars are common in the Neotropics. To protect them from attacks from other leaf-cutter ant species some species of leaf-cutter ants have evolved biomineral armor. The smaller ant above is an Acromyrmex echinatior leaf-cutter ant. Her armor has been removed from her exoskeleton, this leaves her vulnerable to the significantly larger Atta cephalotes soldier. Resulting with the Atta soldier easily decapitating the Acromyrmex worker.

Publication "Biomineral armor in leaf-cutter ants" Nature Communications.

Link to Ant War Part II

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Video was recorded and edited by CM Carlson as a part of University of Wisconsin- Madison Bacteriology Department.