Ants of all kinds (there are thousands of species) are among the most remarkable insects in the world in their organized way of life and cooperation with one another. Solomon, who wrote the above Bible verse, could not have used a better example of wisdom in action.
Scientists tell us their tiny brains contain half-a-million nerve endings that send messages to all parts of their bodies, instructing them what they are to do. When they are together they do not, of course, speak to one another as we do, but through body actions and by means of chemical odors, they seem to understand one another perfectly. God-given instincts enable them to perform in ways that seem to us almost impossible. Not one of them is selfishly inclined, but will even give its life for the good of the others.
Weaver ants live in Africa, Australia and Asia, and make leafy nests in tree tops. When selecting a new location, they in some way agree on the leaves best suited for this purpose, and often these are quite difficult to reach. To solve this problem, they form living ropes. One ant acts as an anchor on an overhead branch; then others, one by one, grab the one at the bottom around the waist with its legs and, hanging on, make the rope a little longer. This continues as far as necessary, until the chosen leaves are reached. The long chain of ants remains in place, perhaps for a whole day, while yet others use it to reach the new spot and work as a group, pulling the chosen leaves together and lifting the sides to form a tent, all of which require teamwork.
But how do they make two or three leaves stay together? You would hardly believe the method they use—a number of them, after helping pull the leaves into shape, return up the living chain to the home nest while the remaining ones stay on the job. At the home nest, each ant picks up a larva (an ant not yet fully formed) and carries it down the chain to the new location. In some way only the Creator could arrange, each larva is then told to produce a continuous, sticky, silk thread. While producing this thread, each larva is passed by the ants along the joined leaf edges and woven through them, until the whole new nest is sewed and glued together. Then each larva is taken back to the home nest while work on the new home continues. Isn't that amazing?
The activities of these little creatures should turn our thoughts to the One who has made them and taught them their ways. A Bible verse says: "[God] doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number." Job 5:99Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: (Job 5:9).
More of this amazing ant's ways are outlined on the following page.
Weaver Ants Are Fantastic
Brown-colored weaver ants are less than half-an-inch long, equipped with strong legs and two long antennae protruding below their black eyes. Connected behind the front section of their bodies by a small segment is their main and largest feature—the gaster. It contains their stomach and three glands, each of which, on command, puts out a special odor. One odor is a general alarm for all ants to come quickly, another odor calls for help from nearby workers, and the third odor is used to make a trail-marking smell.
Another ant, smelling either of the first two odors, immediately acts on it. If it's a general alarm, it hurries back to the soldier ants that guard the colony and then on to others with the message. Meanwhile it has left its own trail-marking scent so that while it spreads the message, these can all hurry to the rescue without waiting to be shown the way. If the call is just for nearby help, then it stops telling others when enough are contacted. None ever refuse to go.
The weaver queen lays thousands of eggs throughout the year. She is many times larger than the others and requires lots of food, but never leaves the nest. Certain workers are assigned to feed and care for her, including a continual licking of her body to keep her clean and cool. Other inside workers feed and care for the eggs and the larvae that come from them. Still others are selected for outside work, including the soldiers men tioned above.
Some of the outside workers maintain "dairies" of aphids and other insects which, when gently licked, give off a sweet moisture. When the "milkers" stomachs are full of this tasty food, they pass it through their mouths to waiting workers who, in turn, take it back to the nest for the queen and workers there.
The food of the weaver ants is mostly insects and seeds, and certain members are given the job of finding it and storing some away, just as our opening verse indicates. Sometimes a worker will capture an insect too large to carry, so it passes the word along by one of its special odors, asking for help, which promptly comes. If the prize is still living, they spray it with acid until it no longer resists, then between them, they carry it to the nest. Aren't these provisions of the wise Creator wonderful to think about? We must conclude that only the Lord God could make such creatures and keep them from the first day of their creation, which turns our thoughts to the Bible verse, "Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" Psa. 113:5,65Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, 6Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! (Psalm 113:5‑6). That statement includes you. Have you given Him the right place in your life?
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