類別

昆蟲與蜘蛛（昆蟲）

參賽者

王露翊、許峰銓

作品名稱

生存法則 Survival Rules

科學圖說 Scientific introduction

螞蟻是世界上數量最多的昆蟲，也是典型的真社會性昆蟲。在一般人的眼光中是多麼微不足道，但其實牠們有很多有趣的行為。工蟻平常除了要出去尋找食物外，還必須要維護巢內的清潔。若巢內有垃圾、屍體或病原感染的個體，可是會影響到整個族群的健康！照片中是黑棘山蟻的工蟻，正用大顎拖著比自己體型還要大的雄蟻屍體到巢外丟棄。看似殘忍的行為，卻是維護巢內衛生的日常工作。

Ants are the most abundant insects in the world. They are also eusocial insects. To most people, ants are small and insignificant. But, they have many interesting behaviors. For example, worker ants have to search for food, and maintain the cleanliness and health of the colony. If there is waste, or dead or infected individuals with a pathogen, this could harm the entire colony. In this photo, a worker weaver ant is seen dragging a body of male, which is larger in size, out of the nest with its mandibles. Although this seems quite cruel, it is routine in maintaining the hygiene of the nest.