15 Shocking Facts About Fire Ants That Will Amaze You (#8 Even Stunned Entomologists!)

11. Social Immunity System

Developed a superb communal immunity mechanism to guard against illnesses and parasites, fire ant colonies have Healthy ants will aggressively care for sick nestmates, distributing antibodies through food exchange and grooming activities, when a virus threatens the colony. They also engage in "social vaccination," whereby minimal pathogen exposure stimulates immunity across the colony. Fire ants have been able to withstand many diseases and preserve healthy colonies even in hostile conditions thanks in part to this complex immune response system.