Matabele ants

Matabele ants are a termite eating species of ants. A Matabele ant colony has an average of 400 to 1,400 members, depending on location. A single queen is responsible for reproduction of the colony, as the worker ant does not breed. The queen typically occupies the colony nest, along with eggs and larvae.

The Matabele ant preys exclusively on termites, especially microtermes as Macrotermes can be dangerous. This species will attack termites with ‘raiding columns’, which may be up to 1,000 individuals strong and up to several metres long. A single ‘major’ worker scouts out foraging termite parties. The worker moves slowly, searching for termite pheremones with its antennea, sometimes travelling up to 95 metres from the nest. Once a termite party is found, the "scout ant" returns to the colony, laying a chemical trail. This trail is then followed by the raiding column attempting to find the termites.

When searching for termites, the Matabele ant raiding column is lead by a single individual, the "scout ant", who originally found the foraging termites. Ants in the raiding column will spread out and attack the termite foraging party by breaking open the soil sheeting constructed by the termites to cover their food, and digging into theundefinedForaging tunnels. Termites are captured, stung, and dragged to the surface, where the ants pile them up while they continue hunting.

Once the raid is complete the major workers will each carry up to 12 termites back to the nest. Raids occur in mornings and evenings, and at night in dry periods..

The Matabele ant is unusual among insects in that even when outside the nest, it will act in co-operative self defence. This species will help nest mates under attack from the slightly smaller, but incredibly aggressive, driver ant (Dorylus sp.), by scanning for and removing the ants that are clinging to nest mates’ extremities. The Matabele ant has even been observed to turn back, after initially running away, in order to rescue beleaguered nest mates.