Bad Ants, Good Ants

Imported fire ants have gotten their share of bad press since their unwelcome arrival in the Port of Mobile roughly 70 years ago. Meanwhile, other types of ants that predate their imported cousins go quietly about their business performing all sorts of tasks that benefit the environment and, ultimately, humans.

Mississippi State University researchers recently took stock of these other species. What they uncovered was a rich diversity of ants with some unusual social characteristics.