The Way African Ants Use Venom to Paralyze Prey from a Distance

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The Crematogaster striatula ant, a native African species, has the ability to defend itself and attack prey with a potent venom that can kill termites and paralyze prey from a distance. What makes this species unique is its ability to shoot venom without direct contact with the prey, a phenomenon never before observed in the natural world. These ants can strike their target from a distance of 5 to 10 mm, a short range but enough for the toxin to spread and prove deadly.

The venom of this species is secreted from the Dufour gland, located near the worker ants’ stingers. When facing termites or intruders, the ants use this chemical to paralyze and kill their enemies, while also signaling to summon reinforcements. The venom not only kills termites but also helps repel invading ants. This indicates that Crematogaster striatula ants have not only strong defense capabilities but can also protect their colony from intruding ant species.

“Studies show that the venom of this ant species is particularly dangerous to termites. When attacked, termites usually do not flee like other insects but stand their ground, making them easy targets for paralysis and death.” (Published in 2011, Science Journal). When the venom comes into contact with the thin skin of termites, they are quickly paralyzed and die within 10 minutes. Some studies have shown that in natural environments, when these ants attack termites, the termites are unable to react in time and fall victim to the long-range attack.

“The ability of this ant species to shoot venom from a distance not only opens up a new world of insect attack methods but could also be applied in the research of natural pesticides.”

The ability of these ants to shoot venom from a distance not only opens up a new world of insect attack methods but could also be applied in the research of natural pesticides. If this technology is successfully implemented, we could develop pesticides that are harmless to humans yet highly effective in killing pests. This would be a significant step forward in protecting crops and improving the environment.

Research on the Crematogaster striatula ant shows that not only does it have strong combat capabilities, but it could also help us better understand how to apply natural toxins in agriculture. The chemicals secreted by this ant species could be modified and applied as an effective crop protection method that does not harm humans or animals. When this research is applied in practice, it will not only create a new way to protect crops but also help reduce reliance on harmful chemicals currently used in agriculture.