237 Sunset Circle • Moultrie , GA 31768 ( 229 ) 985-3916
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Ants are fascinating
S ummer is a great time to get outdoors and have fun . Here
are four fun activities that may inspire you to get some fresh air .
Go on a nature hunt . Ants are fascinating insects – and incredibly plentiful ! The world ’ s ant population is estimated to exceed one quadrillion , or one million billion . More than 12,000 species have been discovered , which experts believe is only about half of the total number . Want to know more about ants ? Here are four amazing facts about them .
1 . They ’ re very strong Ants have extraordinary strength . They can lift several times their body weight . In fact , some species can lift 50 times their weight . In comparison , humans who can carry more than the equivalent of their body weight are considered Olympic-level athletes .
2 . Some can fly Have you ever seen large groups of winged ants in the spring ? These are the males , or drones , and females , called queens , which are destined to reproduce to make new colonies .
3 . They play specific roles Each ant has a specific task to perform to ensure the colony survives . The queen is much larger than the other ants and is responsible for laying eggs . One queen can lay up to one million eggs in her lifetime . Female worker ants build the nest and keep it clean . They may also be caretakers ( nannies ) for baby ants and defenders of the colony ( soldiers ). Males , on the other hand , are only responsible for fertilizing eggs .
4 . They farm Did you know that some species of ants have a special relationship with aphids ? Aphids produce honeydew , a sweet sap that ants love and use as a food source . Ants look after aphids in much the same way humans look after dairy cows . They harvest the honeydew , protect the aphids from predators and keep their environment clean .
If you find an ant hill this summer , leave it alone . Watch these ingenious insects work together for a few minutes . You ’ ll be impressed !
There are over 1,000 different species of ants in North America . The most common include black ants , carpenter ants , crazy ants , fire ants and sugar ants . n
Friends & Co . Come Grow With Us Monday-Friday • 7:30 am -5:30 pm
237 Sunset Circle • Moultrie , GA 31768 ( 229 ) 985-3916
Pat Grogan , Owner and Director
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JUNE 2023 MoultrieScene 65