Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.
Ants form colonies that range in size from a few dozen individuals often living in small natural cavities to highly organised colonies that may occupy large territories with sizeable nest that consist of millions of individuals or into the hundreds of millions in super colonies. Typical colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of which are workers (ergates), as well as soldiers (dinergates) and other specialised groups. Nearly all ant colonies also have some fertile males called "drones" and one or more fertile females called "queens" (gynes). The colonies are described as superorganisms because the ants appear to operate as a unified entity, collectively working together to support the colony.
Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are Antarctica and a few remote or inhospitable islands. Ants thrive in moist tropical ecosystems and may exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals. Their success in so many environments has been attributed to their social organisation and their ability to modify habitats, tap resources, and defend themselves. Their long co-evolution with other species has led to mimetic, commensal, parasitic, and mutualistic relationships.
Ant societies have division of labour, communication between individuals, and an ability to solve complex problems. These parallels with human societies have long been an inspiration and subject of study. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication, and rites. Some species are valued in their role as biological pest control agents. Their ability to exploit resources may bring ants into conflict with humans, however, as they can damage crops and invade buildings. Some species, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) of South America, are regarded as invasive species in other parts of the world, establishing themselves in areas where they have been introduced accidentally.
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Non-native ants are breaking down biogeographic boundaries and homogenizing community assemblages
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How 16th Century Trade Made Fire Ants an Early Global Invader
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venting on here about my dad... again cw: grief/death/suicide thoughts, alcoholism
My dad not doing well again as always, but like I hear him groaning in pain a lot lately again. This time instead of hearing him grunt/groan in pain? if it's pain, I am hearing him do that a lot at night now, every night now. Along with him swearing to himself. But he just says he's fine. But I don't think he is. Something just feels off, but I don't know what. I don't know what it is this time, since last week it was his foot giving him issues. At least he saw a doctor for that foot pain because it was too much for him.Maybe im just overreacting again. Maybe he's mad at me or something. Or he just wants to be alone. I don't know. Lately I can't stop having thoughts again, of just what if he did die? and I hate those thoughts because it's like I'm grieving for him despite him still being alive. and it reminds me of last year earlier in the year when I had those thoughts for my mom before she died. I don't know. I just. I don't want him to die. But he just keeps on drinking and drinking and giving himself various health issues because all he is doing is constantly poisoning himself. And since he refuses to get the help he really needs, he will die.
I hate this like.. constant.. bleakness. I'm not sure how to word it, it just feels like all I have is negative things to look forward to in the future. And it would be nice to stop thinking about what I am gonna do if he does die, and how different things will be from then on. I'm really tired of having constant death thoughts, whether it's of like, my dad dying, or in the past my mom dying and my mom death from last year, or me, thinking about death itself and sometimes ready to die. or like recently today like how am I going to handle my dad death, and what will I do afterwards?
It just never ends. but that not true, nothing last forever. I just have to calm myself down. Especially since this isn't the first time I got too worried for him and started to spiral.