New research shows that terminally ill baby ants tell other ants to kill them, potentially protecting the rest of the colony from their infection. In a study published today in the journal Nature ...

Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice.

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Ants are some of nature’s most selfless animals. They practice ...

Ant pupae that are fatally sick don’t hide their condition; instead, they release a special scent that warns the rest of the colony. This signal prompts worker ants to open the pupae’s cocoons and ...

In a remarkable display of self-sacrifice, baby ants infected with a deadly fungus deliberately signal worker ants to kill them. This extreme measure prevents the spread of disease, protecting the ...

Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice.

Illness usually brings trouble in the animal world. A weak member may be pushed aside, attacked, or left behind. Many animals go to great lengths to hide sickness. But for creatures bound by family, ...

Paris (AFP) – Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of ...

A new study reveals astonishing behavior within ant colonies: certain worker ants willingly sacrifice themselves to protect the colony’s survival. Researchers found that these ants take on high-risk ...

Sick, immature worker ants produce a signal that triggers their nestmates to destroy them, according to a study of a single ant species published in Nature Communications this week. This act is ...