Proof they should be left alone! – Issue #72

Hello Explorer,
A few weeks ago we discussed the Oxymoron of Local Invasive Species - Issue #67, and just last night I witnessed the perfect example of why we should not interfere with them at all. The reason is that they help control widespread, yet very often seen species.
It was around 20h40 when I saw something very strange and out of place. I was heading outside to look for some ant food, but instead got caught up in the rare and astonishing events taking place inside and outside of the house.
I saw masses upon masses of Lepisiota capensis, Small Black Sugar Ants, covering the walls, inside and outside. The strange behaviour of the Small Black Sugar Ants that I observed immediately told me what is going on, due to prior experience! Yes, this is not the first time I saw this happening!

The Small Black Sugar Ants were under siege from one of the only species on this planet that strikes them with uncontrollable fear. This fear drove them out against the walls, literally as they tried to escape, as they knew their attackers aren’t the best climbers and usually stick close to the ground! The attackers: Aenictus. A small army ant group, which are ant larvae and egg specialists. This means that their diet consists of other ant species eggs and larvae! And that is why the Small Black Sugar Ants were fleeing for their lives! The Aenictus will kill any workers, or queens that stand in their way!
Aenictus is a widespread species, yet they are rarely encountered. This I believe is due to their unusual diet. Their diet is likely the main factor that keeps the number of colonies very low.
If I did make the choice to control the Small Black Sugar Ants around the house with chemical treatments (poison in other words), the Aenictus would have been caught either in the crossfire, eating the larvae that were filled with poison and then dying as well. If not caught in the crossfire, they would be negatively impacted by the decimation of their food source in the area.
I hypothesise that controlling the Small Black Sugar Ants would lead to the disappearance of the Aenictus in the area as well, because if their food source is gone, they would most likely not revisit the area, or in the worst case starve out due to a lack of suitable food species.
Next time you reach for the bottle or spray can of chemicals, take a moment to think of the crossfire, trophic cascades, and general environmental impact that a simple act of control could have on the environment.

If you would like to send me a message with your answers, feel free to do so on Instagram @abugmanslife or via email to [email protected].