國立自然科學博物館

螞蟻是典型的真社會性昆蟲，整個族群以費洛蒙（化學氣味分子）作為主要溝通的方法。過去我們都認為，蟻后所分泌的費洛蒙能主導整巢工蟻的行為，但近年來科學家發現，幼蟲所分泌的費洛蒙才是主導整巢工蟻行為的主因。幼蟲在飢餓時能分泌費洛蒙吸引工蟻前來餵食；在脫皮時則能吸引工蟻前來協助；在環境不良時更可影響整個巢進行搬家的動作。畫面中的臭巨山蟻正連夜搬運幼蟲們到新家。

Ants are typical eusocial insects. A colony communicates through pheromones (odor molecules). We used to believe that the pheromones from the queen directed the actions of the workers. Lately, scientists have discovered that it is the pheromones secreted by the larvae that affect worker ant behavior. When larvae are in a state of hunger, they release pheromones to which worker ants respond by feeding them. During molting, they attract the worker ants to provide assistance. When the environment is not ideal, they can influence the entire colony to move. In this image, a colony of Camponotus habereri is in the process of moving larvae to their new home at night.

范姜俊承-連夜搬家的臭巨山蟻1