Mating frenzies, sperm hoards, and brood raids: The life of a fire ant queen - Walter R. Tschinkel
5,219,671 Views
4,109 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
In the spring, just after a heavy rainfall, male and female fire ants swarm the skies for a day of romance, known as the nuptial flight. Thousands of reproduction-capable ants take part in a mating frenzy, and for one successfully mated female, her work is only beginning. Walter R. Tschinkel details how the new queen builds a colony and protects it from neighboring ant armies.
What might be the advantage to a nest-founding female to do so without feeding? What adaptations make it possible for her to do so?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Walter Tschinkel
- Director Lisa Vertudaches
- Narrator Addison Anderson
- Storyboard Artist Lisa Vertudaches
- Animator Lisa Vertudaches
- Compositor Lisa Vertudaches
- Art Director Lisa Vertudaches
- Sound Designer Phil Brookes
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
- Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
- Script Editor Alex Gendler
- Fact-Checker Eden Girma
