Colobopsis explodens

Colobopsis explodens is a species of ant which is found in Southeast Asia. Like some other species in its genus, it is noted for a rare combat mechanism of workers exploding in self-defense, smothering the enemy with a toxic and often deadly secretion.^[1] This suicidal defensive adaptation also occurs among some species of termites: it is termed autothysis, and as ants and termites are members of different insect orders, it is an example of convergent evolution.

Colobopsis explodens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Formicinae
Genus:	Colobopsis
Species:	C. explodens
Binomial name
Colobopsis explodens Laciny & Zettel 2018[1]

Defenses

Scheme of a worker ant's anatomy

Colobopsis explodens pupa

In the past, it was informally known as "yellow goo," named after the brightly colored "goo" produced by its exploding worker ants.

Territory

They are found in countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Borneo. Their colonies can contain thousands of individual ants and inhabit the leafy canopies of trees. They often nest in trees of family Dipterocarpaceae. Their nests may be as high as 60 m above the ground. One colony was estimated to cover an area of at least 2,500 m².^[1]

Self-defense

This species is known for its unusual way of self-defense. The earliest recording was in 1916, but it was detailed fully in 1974. When threatened, it will voluntarily flex its gaster and explode, producing a highly toxic chemical sludge (with a spice-like smell) in an attempt to kill or repel said instigator. In addition to helping protect the ant against potentially threatening predators, it is thought due to its "strong antimicrobial and low insecticidal activity of the mandibular gland" to be a way the ants disinfect and protect their nest against harmful bacteria and fungi.

Diet

Minor workers of this species will graze on epiphytes, presumably for food. They have also been found to consume yeast suspended in water, dead insects and fish offered to them.^[1]

Gallery

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  Head of Colobopsis explodens worker
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  Colobopsis explodens worker
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  Colobopsis explodens worker. (a) vertex of major worker (paratype), (b) gastral tergite I, (c) gastral tergite IV of minor worker (holotype), (d) labels of holotype, minor worker
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  Colobopsis explodens soldier. (a) full-face view, (b) frontal shield (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view
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  Colobopsis explodens queen. (a) full-face view, (b) frontal shield (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view, (e) forewing with indicated measurements 2r and 4RsM
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  Colobopsis explodens male. (a) full-face view, (b) wings (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view
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  Colobopsis explodens male reproductive system and genitals. (a) dorsal, (b) ventral (c) lateral view, (d) left penis valve, (e) right volsella and gonostylus