Scientist Say Ants Have Form of Salutation Among Themselves

1915

New Discovery About the Insects

Ants have long been known for their excessive industry, but from a curious communication which has just appeared they seem to have surpassed all other insects by organizing an elaborate system of signaling.

Professor Bugnion, who has recently investigated the habits of the white ant, reports that the "soldiers" of that species give warnings or encouraging signals by knocking with their jaws upon dry leaves, thereby emitting a crackling sound. Placing some of these ants on a big plate and covering it with paper, he found that the "soldiers" among the ants responded to his taps with a rustling, crackling sound.

Moreover, apart from this audible signaling, there appears to be some inaudible form of signal, for the professor asserts that the "soldier" ants salute the worker ants.

To do this, "the insect stands firmly on its legs with the head raised and the body slightly oblique, and shakes itself for an instant with a convulsive shudder. This seems to mean something."


Sunny World

If you want it to be a sunny world stop wearing a cloud on your brow. — Florida Times-Union.