Incredible footage captured by National Geographic’s new series “A Real Bug’s Life” showcases the remarkable survival instincts of fire ants in the face of danger. Set to premiere on Disney+ on January 24th, the series provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of insects, highlighting their extraordinary behaviors and adaptations.
The featured clip focuses on a colony of fire ants, scientifically known as Solenopsis invicta, residing beneath a water feature in a Texas backyard. As the water level begins to rise, the ants quickly gather their young and unite to form a life-saving raft. The scene unfolds as they are swept over a waterfall and into a swimming pool, where their survival instincts are put to the test.
Ants are renowned for their collective social behavior within large colonies. However, when faced with swimming, their instinctive kicking legs repel one another. Despite this natural repulsion, fire ants in groups of ten or more are compelled to come together due to the “Cheerios effect.” This phenomenon, caused by surface tension, occurs when small objects create a concave indentation on the liquid’s surface, causing nearby objects to cluster.
The fire ants exploit this effect to protect their queen and ensure the survival of their colony. They gather their larvae, pupae, and worker ants, interlocking their legs and jaws to form a large raft that slightly dips in the center. The queen is then placed safely atop this massive structure. The ants’ ability to utilize the Cheerios effect showcases their resourcefulness and adaptability in the face of adversity.
The discovery of this incredible behavior occurred when location scouts were searching for backyard filming locations. Unaware of the fire ant colony residing within, they activated a water feature in a pool, inadvertently flooding it. This led to the fire ants being forced to form their life-saving raft. The series producer, Bill Markham, explained that they captured this intricate behavior using advanced techniques such as macro lenses, split-level housings, and super slow-motion footage. Working alongside Drexel University entomologist Sean O’Donnell, they were able to document the ants’ remarkable survival strategy.
Although the exact number of ants involved in the raft was not counted, Markham estimates that there were approximately 5,000 ants on this particular occasion. To their surprise, they discovered that the ants collected trapped air bubbles to keep the raft afloat and buoyant. This additional adaptation further enhances their chances of survival. Markham also revealed that these rafts can remain afloat for up to 12 days. However, in this particular instance, the fire ants encountered a pool noodle and managed to reach dry land within a few minutes.
The footage captured by National Geographic’s “A Real Bug’s Life” provides a captivating insight into the extraordinary behaviors of fire ants. Their ability to come together, form a life-saving raft, and protect their queen showcases their resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. As the series premieres on Disney+, viewers will undoubtedly be enthralled by the fascinating world of insects and the incredible stories they have to tell.
