Ants squirting formic acid
Their aggressive behavior was captured by Paul Quagliana, 43, a
wildlife photographer, who found a colony of the ants on a log in
Wareham Forest, Dorset.
In order to trigger the insect’s reaction, he gave their nest a tap,
which prompted the ants to squirt acid in the air from their tiny
abdomens.
‘There are many different species of woodland ants in Britain and these
are called Formica rufa,’ said Mr Quagliana, who lives in Gillingham,
Dorset.
‘As a defense mechanism they squirt formic acid which smells a bit like
salt and vinegar crisps or fish and chips,’ he explained.
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