The behavior prevents fungal pathogens from spreading through the colony Researchers call it "altruistic disease signaling" that protects the ant superorganism In a rare example of biological altruism ...

This repository implements several swarm optimization algorithms and visualizes them. Implemented algorithms: Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Firefly Algorithm (FA), Cuckoo Search (CS), Ant Colony ...

Ant colonies run like living bodies. Queens produce offspring. Workers clean, feed, and defend. And brood develop quietly in the nursery. When disease slips in, the whole “superorganism” is at risk.

Ant pupae that are fatally sick don’t hide their condition; instead, they release a special scent that warns the rest of the colony. This signal prompts worker ants to open the pupae’s cocoons and ...

Imagine a tiny ant, not yet fully grown, lying helpless inside its cocoon. It is vulnerable, immobile, and facing a deadly fungal infection. in most animal societies, a sick member might try to hide ...

Illness usually brings trouble in the animal world. A weak member may be pushed aside, attacked, or left behind. Many animals go to great lengths to hide sickness. But for creatures bound by family, ...

Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice.

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Ants are some of nature’s most selfless animals. They practice ...

New research shows that terminally ill baby ants tell other ants to kill them, potentially protecting the rest of the colony from their infection. In a study published today in the journal Nature ...