Asian needle ants attacking termites

This is a video (no audio) of some Asian needle ant workers (Pachycondyla chinensis) attacking some termites (Reticulitermes sp.) in a glass petri dish. These exotic ants, which are native to Asia, were collected at Oak Mountain State Park, near Birmingham, Alabama (USA). This is not a video about which species would win in a fight. It is simply a video about prey preference. Obviously, worker termites would not stand a chance against these ants, and although soldier termites might do a bit better, it is unlikely they would stand much of a chance in a dish with the ants, because defensive strategies would more likely be aimed at keeping ants out of their colony. In Asia, where it is native, the Asian needle ant's preferred prey is a particular species of termite. That termite species has developed strategies for defending its colonies from these ants, although they are not always successful. Termites in the US would not have had time to have developed adaptations that could have helped protect them from this introduced species. On the other hand, because the Asian needle ant is an exotic species, it may act completely different here is the US. So, out of curiosity, I put various types of arthropods, both adults and immatures, into the dish with the ants. Admittedly, I was just grabbing things I could readily find in and under a rotting log (typical nesting habitat for the ants), and this endeavor was by no means scientific. However, the only arthropods that I put in the dish that were attacked were the termites. In all other cases, the various larvae, immature bugs, etc. were ignored by the termites, whereas, the termites were immediately attacked. This video shows the ants chewing, licking, and carrying termites around. In the video, the termites appeared to be alive (except for the one missing a head), but they were immobilized, probably by the stings of the ants. After the termites where immobilized, they were stacked in piles underneath bits of rotting wood. The video was taken immediately after the termites were put in the dish. I could not get the video going fast enough to show the termites being attacked; basically, as soon as they were put in the dish, they were attacked. The video was taken using a Sony handycam mounted on a Leica M16 stereomicroscope.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ant
• Pachycondyla chinensis
• Asian needle ant
• Joe MacGown
• termites
• Reticulitermes
• prey

[PaganEgyptian]

I can get all the asian needle ants you want.. They are the hardest thing our exterminator has ever tried to kill. THey are resistant to almost every know pesticide out there. and their sting feels like a wasp sting. These things are mean and nasty.

[jamacgown]

@PaganEgyptian I have not been stung by one, but I heard that the sting was painful. What state are you located in?

[UndeadRussianLord]

termites were dead already =( looks like u killed em by yourself, lol

[jamacgown]

@UndeadRussianLord Ha, no, they were attacked immediately after being put in the dish. I could not get good video of it, because my forceps were in the way. But, they were definitely alive when place in the dish.

[skullkiller123]

termite lava vs full grown ants fairly stupid video and cruel in a way.

[jamacgown]

@skullkiller123 The termites are full grown. I was just looking at prey preference, not which species would win in a battle. Of course, nature is cruel and bugs eat each other all the time.

[HootsMcGruff]

what is that beast on the left of the screen at like 3 minutes?

[nube1oscuras]

go asians..

[guitarhamster102]

Guess the ants choose the easiest prey.

[Faolan1234]

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL­LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMM­MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEE­EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[cipher1500]

@HootsMcGruff That's a stag beetle larvae

[viiRecon]

what was the thoing at 1:54-2:18?

[darkoanton5]

Where's the can of raid?

[dig2u686]

@HootsMcGruff IT IS THE STYGIAN FROM DARKSIDERS!!!!

[kuniva101]

@HootsMcGruff an adult termite, the rest are larva

[ALLAHALLAHism]

@HootsMcGruff grub worm lol



[JuraganLED]

the asian ant obviously has kungfu technique to beat the termites #stingbite