Gallery of Crazy Ants By Tanya Lewis February 13, 2014

 

Crazy ant invasion

(Image credit: Photograph by Lawrence Gilbert)

Tawny (or raspberry) crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) — named for their quick, erratic movements — invaded Texas and Florida in the early 2000s, and have been steamrolling fire ant populations in the South ever since.

Crazy ants resist the sting of fire ants by secreting a substance which they rub all over themselves to neutralize the venom, new research has found.

Above: A tawny crazy ant standing on cricket leg, expressing detoxification behavior.

Crazy ant on cricket leg

(Image credit: Photograph by Lawrence Gilbert)

Tawny crazy ant standing on cricket leg, expressing detoxification behavior.

Fire ant applies venom

(Image credit: Photograph by Lawrence Gilbert)

Interaction of Nylanderia fulva and Solenopsis invicta illustrating the detoxification behavior. The larger S. invicta worker dabs venom droplets from its sting onto antennae of an attacking N. fulva worker.

Detox behavior

(Image credit: Photograph by Lawrence Gilbert)

Interaction of N. fulva and S. invicta illustrating the detoxification behavior. Two N. fulva workers, previously smeared with venom, engage in detoxification behavior. The middle-left worker stands on its hind and middle legs, dispensing fluid from its acidopore onto its mandibles. The far-right worker distributes the fluid with its front legs. On the far left, an S. invicta worker gaster flags (extrudes and vibrates a venom droplet from their stinger).