BBC: Ant mega-colony takes over world

Posted by Kendall Harmon

A single mega-colony of ants has colonised much of the world, scientists have discovered.

Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same inter-related colony, and will refuse to fight one another.

The colony may be the largest of its type ever known for any insect species, and could rival humans in the scale of its world domination.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Science & Technology • * General Interest • Animals

16 Comments
Posted July 2, 2009 at 1:04 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. mtnlaurel wrote:

A sure sign that USA residents will have to keep an especially sharp eye on the picnic and potato salad during this weekend’s outdoor celebrations.

July 2, 1:25 pm | [comment link]
2. tjmcmahon wrote:

Oh, sure, laugh now.  Just wait until these ants get into a nuclear facility somewhere.  I’ve seen this movie.

By the way, are these orthodox ants or progressive ants?

July 2, 2:24 pm | [comment link]
3. Chris Molter wrote:

#2, I love that movie..

July 2, 2:25 pm | [comment link]
4. Frank Fuller wrote:

Would a progressive ant theologian favor overthrowing the state monopoly on reproduction?

July 2, 2:27 pm | [comment link]
5. magnolia wrote:

if you want to keep them out non-toxically, spread cinnamon around the area. ants hate cinnamon and will not cross the line. i have even used it on fire ants here in texas, albeit i had to use the bulk bottle from walmart.

July 2, 3:29 pm | [comment link]
6. tjmcmahon wrote:

Once 815 gets wind of this, they will be issuing demands that ++Greg Venables halt the Argentinian ants boundary crossing into TEC ants territory.  I don’t know what KJS will do about the Texas fire ants, they bite back.

July 2, 3:45 pm | [comment link]
7. Anglicanum wrote:

Ants try to take over the world and are repelled by a simple household item like cinnamon.  Wasn’t that the plot of a teleplay by H. G. Wells?  Orson Welles?  It was somebody ...

July 2, 3:55 pm | [comment link]
8. Bill C wrote:

Can you inhibit ants?

July 2, 4:00 pm | [comment link]
9. moheb wrote:

“They belong to the same inter-related [communion], and will refuse to fight one another.”
Better behaved than…

July 2, 4:13 pm | [comment link]
10. Spiro wrote:

Best way to get rid of them: Baptize and confirm them, and you’ll never see them again. They will disappear very soon after.
Works all the time.

Fr. Kingsley+
Arlington, TX

July 2, 4:26 pm | [comment link]
11. Sick & Tired of Nuance wrote:

Ask any uncle and to a man they will tell you that ants rule the world.

July 2, 5:31 pm | [comment link]
12. Capt. Deacon Warren wrote:

Is this a problem?  Just bomb them with loads of DDT.

Problem solved.

July 2, 7:36 pm | [comment link]
13. Watcher On The Wall wrote:

News Release:
Obama says he will work with the ants to transition the government to a new ant based economy. He has also agreed to leave the White House and let the ants move in.

July 2, 8:35 pm | [comment link]
14. TACit wrote:

Thanks for that tip, #5 (assuming you are serious, as the rest of the comments aren’t).  Talcum powder also works.  I have no idea why it works, but every hot dry summer spell I thank God for it.

July 2, 9:17 pm | [comment link]
15. IchabodKunkleberry wrote:

We need to reach out to moderate elements in the Argentine ant
community.

July 2, 11:52 pm | [comment link]
16. azusa wrote:

“Argentine ants living in vast numbers across Europe, the US and Japan belong to the same inter-related colony, and will refuse to fight one another.”

Thank you, Bishop Venables! We Global South Antlicans believe in cooperation, not conflict. Como se dice en Argentina, ‘Mi colina de hormigas, tu colina de homigas!’

July 3, 12:10 am | [comment link]
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