Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.

Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen individuals often living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories with sizeable nest that consist of millions of individuals or into the hundreds of millions in super colonies. Typical colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called “drones” and one or more fertile females called “queens” (gynes). The colonies are described as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony.

Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in moist tropical ecosystems and may exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic, and mutualistic relationships.

Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rites. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some species, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) of South America, are regarded as invasive species in other parts of the world, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.

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  • ComradeSpahija [they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    16·
    2 months ago

    Now where could my pipe be? stalin-stressed

    jon-yell …POLAND?!

    rant

    Also this museum was filled with “Nazi-Soviet alliance” propaganda, everywhere. Which I guess is normal because it’s Poland. Still a good museum with pretty good exhibits, but it kind of got on my nerves after the 50th time of equating the Soviets with the barbaric ideology that wanted to eliminate their entire people. The Victory Museum in Moscow was better though.

        • StalinStan [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
          9·
          2 months ago

          Isn’t that the one where like a handful of nazis went missing in the woods and people are mad at the soviets over it? Someone tried talking to me about that and I am so glad it wasn’t in person. I can’t say I would have resisted the call to adventurism if someone said that to me in a bar you know

          • ComradeSpahija [they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
            9·
            2 months ago

            The Katyn massacre is the one where the nazis “”“found”“” tens of thousands of dead Poles during operation Barbarosa and said it was the Soviets because reasons and now several countries teach the nazis’ story as fact.

            Edits: it seems I was wrong and the Soviets did commit it, see other comrades’ comments.

          • Frank [he/him, he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
            5·
            2 months ago

            When the Soviets occupied, or re-occupied, or whatever part of Poland they rounded up a huge number of Polish army officers and shot them. I’ve never bothered to look in to the reasons but I figure it’s probably because they didn’t want a huge reserve of potential saboteurs and insurgents behind their lines while they were fighting the genocidal Nazi armies.

            Folks say it was cultural genocide because the Soviets were killing poets and intellectuals. Here’s the thing, though; AFAIK every degree holder in Poland was required to join the army as a reserve officer or something. The Soviets were shooting military officers, and due to Poland’s conscription system all university degree holders were military officers.

            Idk why the Soviets decided to merk everyone and I honestly don’t care that much, but the little tidbit that all the intellectuals who were shot were also army officers usually gets left out of the story.