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Related Concept Videos

Altruism01:03

Altruism

Altruistic behaviors are “unselfish” behaviors—those that help another individual at the expense of the individual carrying out the behavior. Despite the negative consequences for the altruistic animal, these behaviors are thought to have evolved for several reasons.
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores02:26

Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores

Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
Predator-Prey Interactions02:39

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.Although predation is commonly associated with carnivory, for...
Inclusive Fitness00:57

Inclusive Fitness

Most altruistic behavior—in which one animal helps another at a cost to themselves—occurs between relatives. Scientists think these altruistic behaviors evolved because they increase the inclusive fitness of the animal providing help.
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.

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Related Experiment Video

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A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants
08:10

A Visual Guide for Studying Behavioral Defenses to Pathogen Attacks in Leaf-Cutting Ants

Published on: October 12, 2018

Preemptive defensive self-sacrifice by ant workers.

Adam Tofilski1, Margaret J Couvillon, Sophie E F Evison

  • 1Department of Pomology and Apiculture, Agricultural University, 29 Listopada 54, 31-425 Krakow, Poland.

The American Naturalist
|October 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary

In a groundbreaking discovery, ants from Forelius pusillus exhibit preemptive suicidal nest defense. Workers seal the nest entrance at sunset, sacrificing their lives to protect the colony.

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

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08:10

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Published on: October 12, 2018

Collection and Long-Term Maintenance of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Atta) in Laboratory Conditions
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Published on: August 30, 2022

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06:44

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Entomology

Background:

  • Worker insects often exhibit altruistic behaviors, including reproductive sacrifice and colony defense.
  • Suicidal defense, where an individual sacrifices itself for the colony, is typically a facultative response observed in species like honeybees.
  • The evolutionary mechanisms driving extreme altruism in social insects remain a key area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document the first instance of preemptive self-sacrifice in social insect nest defense.
  • To investigate the specific behavior of Forelius pusillus workers closing the nest entrance at sunset.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies of Forelius pusillus colonies in their natural habitat.
  • Detailed recording of nest entrance closure behavior at sunset.
  • Identification of the individuals involved in the nest closure process.

Main Results:

  • Forelius pusillus exhibits a unique preemptive nest defense strategy.
  • Workers, numbering one to eight, seal the nest entrance from the outside at sunset.
  • These workers invariably sacrifice their lives in the process of closing the nest.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first documented case of preemptive suicidal nest defense in ants.
  • The behavior of Forelius pusillus highlights a novel evolutionary pathway for extreme altruism in social insects.
  • Further research is needed to understand the genetic and ecological factors driving this unique defensive strategy.