The ants of the genus Allomerus decemarticulatus build amazing sophisticated traps.
Ants are normally held in great respect by humans. But some of the hard-working crawling species can be ruthless and bloodthirsty. French researchers at the Toulouse University found out that the ants could be real sadists. The Amazon ants build elaborate traps and then torture their victims by slowly tearing little bits off their bodies.
The ants of the genus Allomerus decemarticulatus build amazing sophisticated traps. They begin their work by gnawing secret pathways under the stem of a plant they live on. They leave a few fibers intact. Then they build a platform over those “beams” using finest filaments that are tied up by a special fungus. Finally the holes are made on the surface and the trap is ready.
The crafty and ferocious creatures lie in wait for their victims. A slim-legged insect that carelessly steps on a hole or puts its feeler in it out of sheer curiosity is instantly dragged inside the trap. The ants quickly stretch the poor devil over the platform. Soon hundreds of fellow ants pounce on the victim and begin to sting. A small insect will not suffer long because it will be finished in no time. A larger prey can be tortured on a rack for 12 hours before the ants eventually transfer it to an anthill and dismember it. Only the slim-legged and lean-bodied insects fall prey to Allomerus decemarticulatus. The caterpillars are too chubby and have no legs therefore the ants scratched those clumsy fellows from their hit list.
Read the original in Russian: (Translated by: Guerman Grachev)