Ants That Have Silk

Habitat

• Weaver ants are native to northern Australia and are also found in some areas of Southeast Asia and India. While most tree ants make their nests in hollow branches or in areas where the bark is split, weaver ants make their own homes out of leaves whenever it's time to establish a new colony or to expand an old one.

Colony Building

• When it's time to build or add on to a colony, worker ants find a limb within the colony's territory, then start pulling the leaves together from the sides. As the leaf edges get closer together, groups of worker ants work together to form bridges between the leaves and finally join them in a tent shape. At this stage, some of the workers go to get some specially bred larvae and bring them to the site.

Silk Formation

• Once the larvae are brought to the site, the workers rub them over the edges of the leaves that are folded together. As the workers do this, they squeeze the silk-like substance from the larvae to seal the edges. These larvae give all the silk, which they would usually use to form their own cocoons, for the colony's home; in return, the workers take care of the larvae for the rest of the larvaes' lives.

Adult Silk Producers

• While specially produced weaver ant larvae use silk to expand their colony, a species of South African adult ant also produces silk. These ants use the silk to line their tunnels and feeding areas; they also use the silk to block entrances and exits. Some of these ants use their silk to patch walls and make the nest more livable. In addition to making silk, these ants also appear to farm smaller insects that produce honey-dew for consumption.