May 26/16
Ants are one of the most successful groups of animals on the planet. While only approximately 15,000 species have been described, making them a species diversity lightweight within the insects, they contribute more biomass to most ecosystems than any other animal group. The social behaviour of ants is truly fascinating, ranging from weakly social species that feed on the blood of their own young to highly organized slave takers, farmers and ranchers. Here Entomologist Dr. Rob Higgins will look at some of this diversity in British Columbia and also take a look at new arrivals that are overshadowing this group, the fire ants.