Page 58 - The Miracle in the Ant

Harvester ants carry starchy seeds to special chambers and convert them into
a form to be used in the nourishment of workers.
The feeding mechanisms of harvester ants are quite sophisticated and
complex as compared to the feeding mechanisms of other types of ants.
These collect seeds and keep them in specially prepared rooms. These
seeds, made up of starch, are used for producing the sugar that will feed
the larvae and other workers. While many ants use the seeds and ker-
nels as food, only harvester ants have a system based on gathering seeds
and processing them.
These ants collect the seeds in the growing season and store them
for use in the arid season. In special rooms in the nest, they sort out the

Kar›nca Mucizesi
58 THE MIRACLE IN THE ANT