mravenec

Mravenec is the Czech word for an ant, a small social insect belonging to the family Formicidae in the order Hymenoptera, which also includes bees and wasps. Ants occur in a wide range of habitats and play important roles in ecosystems as foragers, predators, scavengers, and seed dispersers. They are typically colonial, with a division of labor among queens, males, and workers.

Anatomically, ants have a three-part body consisting of the head, mesosoma, and a constricted abdomen (gaster). They usually possess one or two petiole nodes that connect the thorax and abdomen, elbowed antennae, and strong mandibles suited to their diverse lifestyles. The size and appearance of ants vary greatly across species.

Social organization is a defining feature. Most colonies include a reproductive queen or queens, males for mating, and non-reproductive workers. Workers perform tasks such as brood care, foraging, nest maintenance, and defense. Communication relies heavily on chemical signals (pheromones), touch, and sometimes sound, enabling coordinated foraging and defense. Some species practice specialized behaviors, such as farming aphids for honeydew or cultivating fungi, as seen in leaf-cutter ants.

Ecologically, ants influence soil structure and nutrient cycling, disperse seeds (myrmecochory), and regulate other invertebrate populations. They can form large supercolonies and exhibit remarkable territorial and resource-claiming behaviors. Nests may be located underground, in wood, leaf litter, or inside structures, depending on the species.

Humans interact with ants in various ways. Some species are agricultural pests or indoor invaders, while others contribute to pest control and soil health. Ants are widely studied in biology and ecology as model organisms for social behavior and collective decision-making.