Ants are social insects that have successfully colonized most terrestrial habitats. Their remarkable adaptability is due to varied diets and foraging strategies. Understanding what ants eat reveals their ecological roles and environmental interactions.
The Diverse Ant Diet
Ants are omnivores, eating plant and animal matter. Their diet varies by species, season, and resources, but generally includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These nutrients are essential for adult energy and the growth of larvae and the queen.
Carbohydrates are a primary energy source for adult ants, used for foraging and colony maintenance. They obtain these from sugary liquids like nectar, honeydew from plant-sucking insects, and plant sap. Ripe fruits and sweet substances also attract ants.
Proteins are important for larval growth and queen egg production. Ants obtain protein from insects, hunted or scavenged. Some also consume insect eggs, small invertebrates, and decaying animal matter.
Fats are an important part of an ant’s diet for health and reproduction. Sourced from seeds, nuts, and oily food scraps, grains also offer carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Specialized Eaters and Unique Feeding Strategies
Beyond the general omnivorous diet, many ant species have specialized feeding habits. These allow them to thrive in diverse niches. For example, leaf-cutter ants do not consume the leaves they cut and transport to their nests. Instead, they cultivate a specific fungus with these materials, their primary food source.
Harvester ants feed on seeds. They collect seeds from plants, storing them in their nests for later consumption, sometimes as “ant bread.” Army ants are carnivorous predators. They organize group raids to hunt and consume arthropods like insects, spiders, and small vertebrates. Weaver ants, found in trees, prey on small insects and supplement their diet with honeydew from scale insects.
Trophallaxis is a social fluid exchange process among ant species. Worker ants store foraged liquid food in a social stomach (crop). Returning to the colony, they regurgitate this liquid to share with nestmates, including the queen and larvae, distributing nutrients. This exchange also transfers hormones and chemical signals, aiding communication and social bonding.
Ants in Human Spaces
When ants venture into human environments, they seek food and water. Homes attract them due to carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Sugary substances are a strong attractant, providing quick energy. Examples include spilled sodas, fruit juices, honey, syrup, and exposed ripe or decaying fruits.
Fats and proteins also attract ants. They are drawn to greasy residues on kitchen surfaces, unsealed pet food, meat scraps, or cheese. A single ant finding food leaves a pheromone trail, signaling other colony members, quickly leading to a larger infestation.
Understanding these dietary preferences helps manage indoor ant presence. Keeping kitchen surfaces clean, promptly wiping spills, and storing food in sealed containers reduces attractants. Regularly emptying trash and ensuring clean pet food bowls limits food sources. Minimizing access to these foods deters ants from establishing an indoor presence.