most numerous family of insects in the world are ants.Furthermore, many types and for which they are divided.Currently, there are about 6000 species of insect.However, it is likely that the world's not all types studied.They belong to the family of Hymenoptera.A special feature is the presence of the stem of one or two segments located between the belly and breast.The ants eat?As with almost all insects of the Hymenoptera, they feed on protein and carbohydrate foods.Proteins are the larvae and fertile females, and carbohydrates - for the life of adults.
So what ants eat?As protein foods use different insects that are extracted working individuals.Also, it is taken from the seeds of plants or fungi.Part of the protein eaten by adult ants, as females feed on secretions of the salivary glands working insects.Just feed the larvae.Sometimes they get and pieces of insects that bring workers males.
And what ants eat to get carbohydrates?The source of these substances can act on the colors of the sugar, the juice of trees and stuff.However, the favorite delicacy, which so love ants in nature, it is aphids.Insect allocated milky juice, which eat the adults.Therefore, the ants protect the aphids that are harmful insects.That is why many gardeners output ants from their sites.
It is worth noting that, the ants eat, it depends on their species.One of the most common are dairy farmers.Their distinguishing feature is that they, like humans, contain pets (aphids, plant lice), from which the milk is collected.At the same time the ants protect his flock from the invasion of other insects.
There is also a kind of harvesters who eat plant seeds, cereals, dried fruits and berries.All of this is stored in an ant hill in winter.This type of insect is found mainly in the plains.
There is a species of ant, which is used by their relatives for certain purposes.So, there are ants millers or zhevalki.Their purpose is that they grind a variety of seeds, grains and so forth. Brought by other types of insect.Once individuals are killed by ants, which eliminate unnecessary consumers.
There are ants that process (cultivated) land for growing mushrooms.This is due to the fact that this type of insect fungus uses as its food.
There is also the leaf-cutting ants which collect leaves, carried into his home, where they are rolled into lumps.On the surface of these balls grow special fungi that feed on ants.And there are species that store a supply of food, which are fed to other animals.
In general, the ants - mysterious force of nature, which until the end and has not been studied.These amazing insects bring both benefit and harm to the environment.Yet ants are an important element in the life of fauna and flora.