Скачать или смотреть Ants that hunt, nest and gather in the Amazon - Allomerus octoarticulatus - Peru

Allomerus octoarticulatus ants are some of the Amazon’s most surprising little engineers. They live inside the hollow stems of Cordia nodosa trees, forming a tight partnership where both sides gain something—though not always equally! The plant gives the ants a safe home, and in return, the ants fiercely protect it from hungry herbivores. Inside the swollen stems, the ants build intricate, honeycomb-like chambers using a mix of plant pulp and fungus, turning the domatia into tiny architectural masterpieces hidden within the rainforest.

But these ants don’t stop at home improvement - they’re also expert hunters. They create clever traps from plant fibers and fungal threads, coating them in sticky secretions so they can snag insects far bigger than themselves. And in a surprising twist, they often “prune” or even destroy their host plant’s flower buds. While it sounds harsh, this behavior actually helps the plant grow larger stems, giving the ants more living space. It’s a strange but fascinating partnership- part teamwork, part self-interest - and a brilliant example of how complex life in the Amazon can be.

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Video: Daniel Echecopar - Rainforest Expeditions - Refugio Amazonas, Peru
Music: royalty free music canva.com