TALK REPORT
Ants of Southern Africa
– Andrea Benn
Referring several times to his new book” Ants of Southern Africa – The Ant Book for all”, Peter Slingsby introduced his presentation by answering the question “Why ants?”!
Peter, a naturalist at heart, with interests in plants, animals and even the tiny creatures, found that there was no book recently published on the subject. From early years he had kept his own Ant menagerie under the stairs at home. At 15 he was given a small book ‘The Study of Ants’ by Dr S H Skaife who had a laboratory in Hout Bay. Later on entering the army Peter released his ant collection, not trusting anyone else to look after them.
Now his book is available, giving a fascinating insight into the rich and complex world of our ants.
Peter’s wife Maggie brought their ’portashop’, where the book was available, plus, ant wrapping paper, and a small microscope with a light that when placed over an ant gives an illusion of a monster.
Of the three most common flying insects, ants, wasps, and bees, ants are at the pinnacle being the most evolved of the three. They are the most dominant organism on land, they form 10 to 15 per cent of the terrestrial animal biomas, and are present on every continent except Antartica. There are over 1000 species in Southern Africa, over 400 species as yet undescribed, from 20 individuals to 20 million in super colonies. All Argentine ants in the Cape belong to one colony! From Paris to Vladivostock there is one colony! Ants turn more soil than earthworms and share at least two thirds of their DNA with us.
They are related to termites with a similar body shape. But flying termites have straight wings. Flying ants` wings are unequal in shape, but their antennae are elbow shaped – bees and termites being straight.
Regarding nests, Fierce Ants use a hole in the ground with a sand circle, Cocktail ants a ‘paper mache ‘type nest in the bushes, and Weaver Ants use their silk spinners to join leaves.
Also of interest is that some species of Serruria and Mimetes have probably been saved from extinction by ants. Their seed has a protein rich tip, which the ants eat, taking the seed underground, where it is protected and able to germinate. These are the small pugnacious ants found from Oudebosch up the Palmiet River. Argentine ants are plentiful in Kleinmond but not in Oudebosch. These smell of Parmesan cheese! When disturbed they swarm out carrying their brood.
The pale-footed ant, often found in the kitchen or bathroom, is indigenous to the Western Cape and the Karoo.
The Brenton Blue Butterfly, now severely threatened after the fire survives on the sugar that Sugar ants produce.
On examining the stomach of an aardvark 78% of the contents were ants and 12% termites.
Some ants have interesting and descriptive names. Common Raider ants are blind. They chop up and eat other ants. Harvester ants collect plant seeds. Then there is the rugged Ringbum ant from the Strandveld. If in the Karoo be careful to avoid the sharp eyesight of the Balbyter ant that looks directly at you, avoid sitting down!
For more fascinating information get hold of Peter Slingsby’s new book and microscope to study these critters up close. He can be contacted in Lakeside.