Novel tool use in Tapinoma sp. ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Despite over 14,000 known species of ants on earth, a massive biomass, and their intrinsic social evolution, very little is known about how ants perceive their environment. In the face of such vast biodiversity, only about 50 species have been reported to use tools, which suggests unknown facets in myrmecological research. Herein, we report on a field observation where multiple Tapinoma workers restrained a large Camponotus worker for several hours without apparently inflicting injury. The Tapinoma workers used tools (stones) that were placed under the Camponotus worker, seemingly employing them as anchors against which they affixed themselves to restrain the seized ant. In addition, Tapinoma workers attached themselves to the head of the Camponotus which seemed to blind it temporarily and restrict use of its mandibles. Such behaviour in ants demonstrates possible cognitive understanding of their environment and colony socio-adaptation.