The Never-Aging Ants with a Terrible Secret
\”Deep within the German forests, nestled neatly inside the hollowed out shells of the acorns are a scattering of ants that have discovered a fountain for youth. Although they are born workers, they do little work. They spend their days lazing around the nest where they are showered with food by their siblings. Their outer shells are soft, and their color is distinctively tawny. They appear to be able to resist the effects of aging, as they retain a durable adolescent body. The scent of their bodies also seems to change, emitting an alluring fragrance that makes them appealing to others. These insects, which have almost identical genomes to their sisters, live for many years, even though they die within months.
The parasite can give its host the appearance of youth and a social power unmatched in the colony.
Source:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/05/ant-tapeworm/618919/
