War in ants

These conflicts are not simply internal to ants, which can fight each other even within the same species, but also involve other animals, particularly other eusocial insects like termites or wasps.

In the early 21st century, with the rapid spread of many species into new habitats facilitated by human colonization, significant wars are being waged between different supercolonies.

Some species undergo specific evolutions with the sole purpose of engaging in these conflicts, such as Polyergus rufescens, which have sickle-shaped mandibles.

[10][11] In some species, conflict is ritualized, for example through limited duels undertaken by the individuals most capable of combat,[3] but phenomena of battles are also common.

[4] In other species, such as within the genus Carebara, ants arrange themselves in specific formations before the battle, like phalanxes, and advance against each other.

[8] These wars can result in the death of tens of thousands of individuals within a few hours; for wood ants of the genus Formica, there are regularly 10,000 casualties per day during the spring.

[12] With the development of ant supercolonies, which follows human expansion into new areas, groups of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of colonies[13] engage in large-scale conflicts against other species.