Fun fact: ants release a chemical when they die, and worker ants will carry ants with that chemical to a "dead pile" or cemetery.
Researchers have found when they apply that chemical to living ants, workers will dutifully carry them to the cemetery, even though the affected ants are very actively squirming. And when they're dropped off, they return to the colony and then get carried off again.
I think bees have similar very acute chemical sensors, which is basically the same thing as smell.
(no subject)
Researchers have found when they apply that chemical to living ants, workers will dutifully carry them to the cemetery, even though the affected ants are very actively squirming. And when they're dropped off, they return to the colony and then get carried off again.
I think bees have similar very acute chemical sensors, which is basically the same thing as smell.