Army ant

/ˈɑːmi ˈant/

/ˈɑːɹmi ˈænt/

[noun]

Army ant

[NOUN]

a species of ant known for its nomadic behavior, large swarms, and aggressive predatory tactics

synonyms : driver ant

legionary ant

What is an "army ant"?

An army ant is a formidable and highly organized insect known for its large-scale group movements and aggressive behavior. These ants travel in massive swarms, devouring everything in their path, including other insects, small animals, and even plants. With their powerful mandibles and coordinated attacks, they overwhelm their prey and strip the surrounding area of resources. Despite their nomadic lifestyle, army ants play a crucial role in their ecosystems by controlling pest populations and redistributing nutrients.

Examples

1. Army ants are one example.

2. Army ants are fearsome, with colonies that number in the hundreds of thousands of workers They nest only temporarily, going out in group raids to capture prey like other ants, insects, and even small vertebrates.

3. What we do know is that army ants are essential members of their jungle ecosystems.

4. But for those who can, a colony of army ants can be a resource in disguise.