The driver ants are a terror to small critters in east Africa.
Most of the world regards the many ant species that inhabit it as simply pests. Because for the most part, they are. You might have issues with ant colonies popping up in your yard or house. It is usually something that is easily dealt with because most ants are harmless and easy to deal with unless we are talking about fire ants.
Then there are the more ferocious species that skitter around our world. People have built up insects like army ants to legendary levels. One legendary species of army ant that has developed a similar reputation is the African driver ant (Dorylus gribodoi). Also known as "siafu" in Swahili.
These ants are large, blind, extremely organized, and mean. Just one of these ant colonies can have millions of soldier and worker ants all coordinating together for the good of the colony to gather food. And the driver ants do not care what is in their way, they will at least attempt to rip it apart with their powerful mandibles. Even if that just happens to be a scorpion.
Most people are familiar with "new world army ants" that live in places like South America. Those species like Eciton burchellii, which lives in parts of Mexico and Argentina. However, most entomologists consider the subfamily dorylinae to be much more aggressive and formidable. Because they are blind, they rely on their antennae and the use of pheromones to navigate the world around them and communicate with other ants.
Because of their huge size, (driver ant queens can be up to 2.5 inches long), these insects often have a reputation for being dangerous to humans. However, the truth is these ants are only dangerous to insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates and arthropods. Larvae of moths, and earthworms make up a large part of their diet in the wild.
Fortunately, driver ants are mostly a danger only to other bugs like this poor scorpion, termites, and more. Good thing too. Because they are ferocious and defensive predators that clearly are not afraid of a fight!
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