The largest insect family in the world are ants. In addition, there are many species into which they are divided. Currently, there are about 6 thousand species of this insect. However, it is likely that not all species have been studied in the world. They belong to the family Hymenoptera. A feature is the presence of a stalk of one or two segments located between the abdomen and breast. What do ants eat? Like almost all hymenopteran insects, they feed on protein and
carbohydrate foods. Proteins are intended for larvae and breeding females, and carbohydrates are for the life of adults.
So what do ants eat? As protein food , various insects are used, which are obtained by working individuals. It is also taken from the seeds of plants or mushrooms. Some of the proteins are eaten by adult ants, as females feed on secretions of the salivary glands of working insects. Larvae also feed. Sometimes they get pieces of insects brought by working males.
What do ants eat to get carbohydrates? The source of these substances can be sugar on flowers, tree sap, etc. However, the favorite delicacy that ants love in nature is aphids. Insects secrete milky juices, which adults eat. Therefore, ants protect aphids, which are harmful insects. That is why many gardeners remove ants from their plots.
It is worth noting that what ants eat depends on their species. One of the most common is dairy farmers. Their distinctive feature is that they, like people, contain pets (aphids, plant lice) from which milk is collected. In this case, the ants protect their herd from the invasion of other insects.
There is also a species of reapers that feed on plant seeds, crops, dry fruits and berries. All this is stored in the anthill for the winter. This type of insect is found mainly in the steppes.
There is also a kind of ants that is used by their relatives for certain purposes. So, there are miller ants, or chewing gum. Their purpose is that they grind various seeds, grains, etc., brought by other species of insect. After that, individuals are killed by ants, which eliminate unnecessary eaters.
There are ants that cultivate (cultivate) the land for the growth of mushrooms. This is due to the fact that this type of insect uses mushrooms as its food.
There are also leaf-cutting ants, which collect sheets, carry them to their home, where they slide into lumps. On the surface of such balls, special fungi grow, which the ants feed on. And there are those species that store in themselves the reserves of food that is fed to other individuals.
In general, ants are the secret power of nature, which has not yet been fully studied. These amazing insects bring both benefit and harm to nature. But nevertheless, ants are an important link in the life of the fauna and flora.