Misery loves company, as the old saying goes. And working outside in the heat and humidity of August 2023 certainly qualifies as challenging.
In this light, being a social creature has somewhat positive aspects since the task will be completed sooner.
Having collective experiences is an important social activity which assures the continuation of the group as a whole, and many, if not all, of the members.
The social aspects of life are applicable to panhandle Florida’s human residents, even some which are inconvenient. In addition to the human residents, there are other creatures which engage in this cooperative effort.
Teamwork lightens the load for everyone and every creature. Worker ants search the summer greenery for various sources of sweet nutrition. Collecting “honeydew” from aphids is one way and another is plundering this plant’s extrafloral nectaries.
Social insects, both native and exotic, work collectively for the betterment of their respective interests.
A hallmark of social insects is they are almost exclusively seen in groups, but not all insects seen in groups are social.
When insect eggs hatch, the young often remain concentrated in an area for a few days, but unless they are social insects, they will soon scatter to pursue their own interest. Grasshoppers are a good example.
North Florida’s social insects include ants, bees, wasps and termites. Each species has a society in miniature where individuals have specific functions within the colony.
Ants usually are seen busily scurrying around on the ground or other surfaces. To the casual observer, this appears as nothing more than random and meaningless motion, but reality is quite different.
Though their movements may sometimes seem random and without purpose, ants are always on a mission for the nest. The search for nutrition is never ending.
These are the worker ants which are most commonly viewed and are seeking food for their nest mates. It is their job during their short lives to procure an endless source of nutrition for those staying in the nest.
Remaining in the nest are many soldier ants which defend their home territory. When an intruder invades, they counterattack and will move the eggs to safer locations if necessary.
The queens, and there can be several in a colony, produce the next generation of ants. Their title implies royal treatment, but their subterranean existence and repetitive task have little nobility associated with it.
In many cases, the only time the ant queens see the light of day is when they swarm in the spring and early summer to establish new homes. Sometimes the flying ants are confused with termites and cause consternation if near the viewer’s home.
With minor variations, the social existence of ants is a caste system of assigned jobs from the moment of hatching. Their society is rigid and fixed, and there is absolutely no potential for upward mobility.
The panhandle has many native species of ants. As with most insects, they seek a specialized environment which fits their requirements for food, water and shelter. Usually, these natives are a minor nuisance, at most.
Unfortunately exotic, or non-native, ants are common too. The most frequently recognized is the red imported fire ant.
To the uninitiated it is their bite, not their red color, which has earned them the descriptive term “fire ant”. When they bite it feels like fire and usually results in a blister.
Like all other ants, this exotic species has specific environmental requirements. They build their large mound-shaped nest in open, sunny locations.
Their nests have the potential to be obstacles in manicured landscapes. Mowing can be a challenge when attempting to avoid mounds which contain thousands of aggressive fire ants.
Additionally, livestock owners and hay producers are challenged to manage this social insect’s presence. The general consensus is these social insects’ presence in landscapes, fields and pastures results in an anti-social reaction on the part of the landowner.
At least the current heat and humidity will likely minimize contact between people and the social insects in their realm.
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