It is tempting to take an anthropocentric perspective on this behaviour and interpret it as the well-deserved revenge of the oppressed servants, getting even with their barbaric masters. These tiny ants (~2-3mm) inhabit the leaf litter layer of mixed forests on the east coast of the USA and the southern parts of Canada, residing in hollow sticks and acorns. This type of “rebellion” is widespread among the ant species Temnothorax longispinosus which are enslaved by the North American slave-making ant Protomognathus americanus. Some violently tear their masters’ offspring to pieces, depositing the remains outside the nest. However, not all slaves accept their fate willingly. The slave-makers become so specialised that they can’t even feed themselves any more and need to be fed by their slaves. For instance, they have to care for the brood of the slave-makers – such as feeding and cleaning – because slave-maker worker ants are specialised “raiding machines” and have lost the ability to perform such basic tasks themselves. This new generation of ant workers hatches and, having never known their own kin, accept their new masters and carry out their bidding. This happens during regular raiding events in which slave-making ants attack neighbouring ant nests, slaughter the adults and carry their unborn young home to their nest. These so-called “dulotic” or slave-making ants specialise in robbing brood from other species. A handful of ant species have figured out a way to outsource all these essential tasks – by exploiting their weaker cousins. However, not all ant species live up to their reputation. They live to serve their queen and take care of all essential tasks including brood care, gathering food and maintaining the nest.

Ants have a reputation of being industrious hard-working animals, sacrificing their own benefit for the good of the colony.

Slave maker 3 slaves