Illness usually brings trouble in the animal world. A weak member may be pushed aside, attacked, or left behind.

Dying ants broadcast a chemical “end me” signal that triggers swift sacrifice, protecting the colony from deadly infections.

Ant colonies rely on a division of labour so specialised that it mirrors the way the cells of a body divide tasks.

“By warning the colony of their deadly infection, terminally ill ants help the colony remain healthy and produce daughter colonies, which indirectly pass on the signaler’s genes to the next generation ...

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 ...

Ant colonies survive because individuals are willing to die. New research shows that some of the most vulnerable members, ...

In a remarkable display of self-sacrifice, baby ants infected with a deadly fungus deliberately signal worker ants to kill them. This extreme measure prevents the spread of disease, protecting the ...

As warmer months bring more outdoor activity across North Carolina, experts are warning residents to watch out for a lesser-known but potentially dangerous insect: the Asian needle ant. The insect is ...

Carpenter ants are black, red, or brown ants that tunnel through wood to form colonies. They live throughout the United States, particularly in the north. There are more than 1,000 species of ...