How a small group of California ants are challenging the global Argentine ant empire

[Swede]

When faced with invasion by the notoriously destructive Argentine ant, an unassuming species of winter ant native to California has managed to stand its ground in the face of a heretofore-unstoppable foe. What is the winter ant's secret? A lethal toxin secreted from its abdomen that it only expels under dire circumstances.

The discovery was made last summer by a group of Stanford University undergraduates working on a class project under biology professor Deborah M. Gordon.

"I did not believe it at first," said Dr. Gordon. "This is a group of ants that does not have a sting and you don't see them acting aggressively, but the students were able to show very clearly not just that the winter ants are using poison, but when they use it, how they use it, and what the impact is."

http://ca.io9.com/5809680/how-a-small-group-of-california-ants-are-challenging-the-global-argentine-ant-empire

[Mz Pip]

1. Hail Ants!

THe comments are great!

It's nice to hear that something is going right for CA, even if it is the ants.

[MineralMan]

2. Gives new meaning to "I fart in your general direction,"

I think.

Dudes!

[damntexdem]

3. All I can say is: THEM.

Watch for them in the LA River.

;-)

[txlibdem]

4. We need those little guys here in Texas

I hope they kill fire ants as well.

[laconicsax]

5. How's that for American ingenuity!

:hide:

[rug]

6. They have distinctive markings.

[Lionel Mandrake]

7. Job very well done.

Congratulations to Professor Deborah M. Gordon and her students Trevor R. Sorrells, Leah Y. Kuritzky, Peter G. Kauhanen, Katherine Fitzgerald, Shelby J. Sturgis, Jimmy Chen, Cheri A. Dijamco, and Kimberly N. Basurto.

Not every undergraduate class makes a fundamental contribution to knowledge.