Army Ants: The World's Most Dangerous Ants

This guide provides a clear overview of army ants: the world's most dangerous ants, including how it works, key details, and practical considerations that can help you use the information effectively.

Overview

What are army ants? What do Asian army ants look like? Here's everything you need to know about army ants.

There are over 200 various species of army ants, and they are commonly found in the rainforests of South America. One of the most studied species is Eciton burchellii. These ants rest in a rookery, which is a temporary nest made up of ants.

Army ants are not the human horrors portrayed in movies, but their biology is extraordinary and worth discussing. Army ants do not have permanent nests; instead, colonies alternate between a stationary phase, in which queens develop and lay eggs, and a nomadic phase, in which the colony travels frequently in search of food for their ravenous larvae. Armed with large jaws and painful stings, army ants are extremely efficient predators. Most army ants specialize in preying on other ants, but some species are regularly seen, feeding on a variety of insects and even frogs, lizards, and baby birds.

Army ants are the most disciplined and combative of all the ants. They can form colonies of up to millions, and are able to coordinate their efforts to hunt and fight larger predators using a scent they emit.

Army ants use a raid tactic, overwhelming their numbers to take down any prey they see along the way, including large and dangerous animals like venomous snakes or scorpions.

Army ants are ranked by National Geographic magazine as one of the most dangerous creatures in the Amazon region.

The wingless queen of this species can lay up to 4 million eggs per month. Army ants are the most voracious ants in the world, with a colony capable of destroying and devouring about 500,000 prey items per day. With their razor-sharp teeth that resemble tiny swords, army ants can with minimal effort devour large and dangerous prey.

Video: The terrifying destructive power of army ants.

The army ant's sharp teeth and bite can act as an alternative to medical sutures in an emergency. Just hold the army ant in your hand, place its teeth near the wound, and let it bite down hard. Once the ant's teeth have penetrated the flesh, its hindquarters will break off, leaving only its head and jaws. This natural suture is effective and can hold the wound together for days on end.

People in Congo and around Africa still use this method when injured and without medical supplies at home.