Imperialism- Insect style
Most ants, unlike termites and leaf-cutting ants are carnivorous. Such ants may prey on termites, devouring the workers and larvae. Yet other ant species make slaves of other ant species, by raiding a nest and collecting the pupae and rearing them to be slaves. Yet other carnivorous ants do not make nests, but march in great masses. Such an army of ants may forage on animals caught in its wake for several weeks. When the larvae produce pheromones they are circulated within the army and keep it on the move, when the larvae pupate, no pheromones are produced and the army clusters around roots of a tree. Individuals clinging to each other create a living nest of tunnels and chambers. The queen starts producing eggs which hatch into larva, while soldier ants emerge from their pupae. The next generation of larvae produce pheromones which stimulate the army to move-off.
Look closely and notice how the ants are preying on the termites.
