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Text from: Star Flight Workbook (Published by Scott, Foresman & Company, USA)

It is night in a rain forest in Central America, and a colony of army ants is on the march. Most of the ants of the colony are workers. In the center of the column of march are the larvae, carried by workers, and the queen ant. On the outside of the column are the large soldier ants, who do most of the fighting for the colony.

While the larvae are growing, the army ants move their camp every other day or so to find new food sources. The ants make temporary nests out of their own bodies. First a few worker ants hang themselves from a low branch or fallen log. Other worker ants attach themselves to the first workers and still more workers attach themselves to these workers and so on, until long strands of ants are formed. This mass of over 200,000 ants measures three feet across.

The larvae are completely defenseless, and the queen lays all the eggs for the colony. So the larvae and the queen stay deep within the center of the nest where they are well protected from attack.

In the early morning, the workers roam the nearby countryside in search of food. They attack by the thousands, and any insects or even small animals nearby are in danger. The workers bring the food back to the camp to feed the queen and the larvae. After a day or two the whole colony moves on another night march to a new spot.

THINK & SEARCH  2.    Draw a diagram which explains how army ants make their temporary nests.  [2 marks]

AUTHOR & YOU   3.    After reading this article, you know a little about army ants. What is your opinion of army ants? Give reasons for what you say.  [3 marks]  »[Help]

ON MY OWN   4.    Can you think of some ways in which ants (of any kind) could be useful to people? Be creative and thoughtful! You may include sketches (with captions/labels) if you wish.  [4 marks]