Termites Vs. Ants,

The Ultimate Showdown!!!

The Mound Builders

Leaf Cutter Ants are a social insect.  Living in giant mounds leaf cutter ants carry out their business of cutting leaves and maintaining the colony.  They are ruled by a Queen who lives on average 10 years.  Her Primary function is to give birth to further her colony.  All the other ants center around her, tending to her every need.  There are worker ants and soldier ants, all of which are females.  The soldier ants have one main job which is to protect the colony from danger.  They are larger then the workers and have a set of sharp jaws that are made to bite.  The worker ants are responsible for the cutting and cleaning the leaves, nurturing the young and feeding the soldiers.  Solider ants pay a price for their sharp pinchers.  They are unable to feed themselves.  The worker must eat and throw up the food in the soldiers mouth in order for them to eat.  The workers and the soldiers have an interesting bond.  Should a worker ant die via predator or some other way to haste their death, they give off a distinct scent that agitates the soldiers and causes them to become hostile.  However, should a soldier die then the ants continue on as if nothing has happened.  Talk about cold hearted!!

The Tree Dwellers

Termites are another small insect that lives in Costa Rica.  These small creatures live in a nest and have social structures similar to ants with a few changes.  The nest is ruled by a King and Queen who's sole responsibility is to reproduce.  The nest is centered around them.  They have soldiers and workers who maintain and protect the nest from outside dangers.  The soldiers are larger then the workers and have a large black spot on their head.  When danger comes around they squirt a sticky glue from the top of their head to defend their home.  Living in a tree has its advantages and disadvantages.  A disadvantage is that they must have a connection to the ground in order to survive.  An advantage to being in a tree would be that they are up and away from predators and other dangers.  Termites don't just invade homes, lucky for you!!