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Matthew Sparks, PhD Candidate in Entomology, Swansea University

The parasitic ant who makes workers kill their own queen

Worker Lasius flavus ants are sometimes turned against their own queen by parasites. Holger Kirk/Shutterstock

Scientists have discovered an ant species which uses a technique so devious to start a colony that it could change our understanding of animal social systems.

Beginning a colony can be perilous for a queen ant, as there is a high chance of being eaten by other animals while she is alone and therefore unprotected. Having yet to found a colony and raise her own workers, the lone queen must travel above ground to find a suitable nesting location.

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