{"id":2432,"date":"2022-04-01T21:33:05","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T13:33:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=2432"},"modified":"2023-04-24T04:10:38","modified_gmt":"2023-04-23T20:10:38","slug":"do-ants-have-antennae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Ants Have Antennae?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Yes, ants do have antennae. They have a pair of antennae connected to their heads. Ants use these antennae to smell, feel, and communicate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about the ant antennae as we discuss the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>What type of antennae do ants have?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parts of the ant antennae<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Functions of the ant antennae<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-b-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"do ants have antennae\" class=\"wp-image-3375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-b-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-b-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-b-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-b.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jkirkhart35\/9157847310\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jkirkhart35\/9157847310\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ant<\/a>&#8221; (<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>) by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/jkirkhart35\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/people\/jkirkhart35\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">jkirkhart35<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#What_Type_of_Antennae_Do_Ants_Have\" title=\"What Type of Antennae Do Ants Have?\">What Type of Antennae Do Ants Have?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Parts_of_the_Ant_Antennae\" title=\"Parts of the Ant Antennae\">Parts of the Ant Antennae<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Scape\" title=\"Scape\">Scape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Pedicel\" title=\"Pedicel\">Pedicel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Flagellum\" title=\"Flagellum\">Flagellum<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Functions_Of_The_Ant_Antennae\" title=\"Functions Of The Ant Antennae\">Functions Of The Ant Antennae<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Smell_And_Communication\" title=\"Smell And Communication\">Smell And Communication<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Tactile_Sensor\" title=\"Tactile Sensor\">Tactile Sensor<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Related_Questions\" title=\"Related Questions\">Related Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Why_Do_Ants_Rub_Their_Antennae\" title=\"Why Do Ants Rub Their Antennae?\">Why Do Ants Rub Their Antennae?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#What_Happens_When_Ants_Lose_Their_Antennae\" title=\"What Happens When Ants Lose Their Antennae?\">What Happens When Ants Lose Their Antennae?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-antennae\/#Summary_Do_Ants_Have_Antennae\" title=\"Summary: Do Ants Have Antennae?\">Summary: Do Ants Have Antennae?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Type_of_Antennae_Do_Ants_Have\"><\/span>What Type of Antennae Do Ants Have?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants have <strong>geniculate or elbowed<\/strong> antennae. These antennae have a distinct bend or angle between 2 segments. They&#8217;re bent almost like a knee or elbow joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parts_of_the_Ant_Antennae\"><\/span>Parts of the Ant Antennae<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/do-ants-have-antennae.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/roverhate-1759589\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1193472\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Ronny Overhate<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1193472\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The ant antennae consist of a number of discrete segments. These segments are called antennomeres. They make up 3 basic parts: the <strong>scape, pedicel, and flagellum<\/strong>.&nbsp;[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencelearn.org.nz\/resources\/2756-insect-antennae\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sciencelearn.org.nz\/resources\/2756-insect-antennae\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scape\"><\/span>Scape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The scape is the first and largest segment of the antennae. It&#8217;s an <strong>elongated basal segment attached to a socket on the ant&#8217;s head<\/strong>. This socket allows the scape to move and rotate freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pedicel\"><\/span>Pedicel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the scape is a shorter segment called the pedicel. This segment contains a sensory apparatus called the Johnston organ. It also <strong>contains muscle connections that allow for greater control over antennal movement<\/strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Flagellum\"><\/span>Flagellum<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The flagellum is made up of all the remaining segments of the ant antennae. They\u2019re otherwise known as the clavola. They\u2019re<strong> made of individual segments known as flagellomeres<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These flagellomeres contain sensory receptors innervated by the brain. Ants may have 3 to 11 of these segments depending on the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Functions_Of_The_Ant_Antennae\"><\/span>Functions Of The Ant Antennae<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The antennae are highly sensitive sensory organs. It is through them that ants are able to forage, navigate, and most importantly, survive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their main functions are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smell_And_Communication\"><\/span>Smell And Communication<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The antennae function as the center of the ant&#8217;s olfactory system.&nbsp; They are highly sensitive and <strong>provide ants with an acute sense of smell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These antennae have more than 400 distinct odorant receptors. They provide allow ants to identify a wide variety of odors. In fact, these receptors provide ants with chemosense. This chemosense allows them to detect chemical substances in their environment. Through it, they can <strong>detect food and communicate<\/strong> with each other through pheromones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, when ants forage they make use of their chemosense to find sugar and other types of food. When they\u2019re successful, they then head back to their nests, while leaving a pheromone trail. This trail marks and communicates the path to the food source to other workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/can-ants-hear-2-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/can-ants-hear-2-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/can-ants-hear-2-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/can-ants-hear-2-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/can-ants-hear-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/fjcorado-1727916\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4387092\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Francisco Corado<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=4387092\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants also use their antennae to <strong>sniff out friends from foes<\/strong>. Ant colonies smell different from each other. They each have their own proportions of hydrocarbons on their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. With chemosense, ants have the ability to detect these differences. Ants that smell differently are treated as intruders and with aggression. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fevo.2015.00133\/full\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fevo.2015.00133\/full\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, ants also <strong>identify the dead<\/strong> by sniffing out death pheromones. When ants die, they emit a chemical called oleic acid. This oleic acid triggers necrophoric or ant funeral behavior. See this article to learn more about<a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/why-do-ants-carry-their-dead\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2154\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> what ants do with their dead<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactile_Sensor\"><\/span>Tactile Sensor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ants also use their antennae to feel. <\/strong>The antennae of leafcutter ants, for example, are equipped with thermosensitive receptors. These receptors allow them to detect minute temperature changes in an instant. This allows them to react accordingly to the conditions of the environment. [<a href=\"https:\/\/journals.physiology.org\/doi\/full\/10.1152\/jn.00390.2010\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/journals.physiology.org\/doi\/full\/10.1152\/jn.00390.2010\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">3<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some ants, the antennae are also used as <strong>tactile stimuli<\/strong>. African weaver ants, for example, antennate to recruit other ants for food collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Questions\"><\/span>Related Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"727\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/fire-ant.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/fire-ant.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/fire-ant-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/fire-ant-768x545.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Solenopsis_invicta_-_fire_ant_worker.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Insects Unlocked<\/a>, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_Ants_Rub_Their_Antennae\"><\/span>Why Do Ants Rub Their Antennae?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants rub their antennae to <strong>remove dirt and keep them clean<\/strong>. Ants use their legs to brush off pollen and other dirt. This ensures that their antennae are clean and in perfect condition. Otherwise, they&#8217;d be less effective in finding food, detecting signals, and communicating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_When_Ants_Lose_Their_Antennae\"><\/span>What Happens When Ants Lose Their Antennae?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The effects vary between species. Some ants become <strong>less effective<\/strong> in foraging and identifying intruders. There are also those that show <strong>no noticeable changes in performance<\/strong> despite the loss. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/258526974_Density_of_Antennal_Sensilla_Influences_Efficacy_of_Communication_in_a_Social_Insect\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/258526974_Density_of_Antennal_Sensilla_Influences_Efficacy_of_Communication_in_a_Social_Insect\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_Do_Ants_Have_Antennae\"><\/span>Summary: Do Ants Have Antennae?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, ants have antennae. They have 2 geniculate or elbowed antennae attached to their heads. These antennae consist of multiple segments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They make up three basic parts: the scape, pedicel, and flagellum. Each of these segments contains sensory receptors. They allow ants to feel, smell, and communicate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, ants do have antennae. They have a pair of antennae connected to their heads. Ants use these antennae to smell, feel, and communicate. In this article, we\u2019ll learn more about the ant antennae as we discuss the following: What Type of Antennae Do Ants Have? Ants have geniculate or elbowed antennae. These antennae have&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2432"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}