The communication of Ants Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The communication of Ants - Essay Example Pheromone is a chemical signal that helps in the identification of the location of other ants. For purposes of receiving smell, ants use their mobile, thin and long antennae (Oller, 2008). Their paired antenna is able to provide information regarding the intensity of scents, and their direction. Because majority of these insects live on the ground, they are able to use the surface of the soil, for purposes of leaving a trail of pheromone, so that other ants may follow (Oller, 2008). For instance, when an ant finds a source of food, it will mark a trail of the source back to the colony. Other ants are able to follow this trail, and reinforce it when heading back with the food, to their colony. When the source of the food is exhausted, they will no longer leave a new trail, and the scent will slowly disappear (Oller, 2008). This behavior by ants is able to help it adapt to the various environmental changes that affects it. For example, when the source of food is blocked, an ant will explore new routes, and leave a trail of the new route for other ants to follow. Other ants would explore this route, for purposes of identifying other better