Parasitic ant

A parasitic ant is a type of ant that exploits the social structure of another ant species to aid in its own survival and reproduction. The most common types of parasitic ants infiltrate a colony of a closely related species by using identical pheromones of the colony's workers to avoid conflict and blend in. The parasite then lays eggs alongside existing ones for the host colony's workers to raise and nurture as their own. The earliest parasitic ants most likely evolved 16 million years ago as temporary social parasites.

Parasites usually induce harmful effects on the target colony and can inhibit the colony's growth and development. Depending on the severity and quantity of parasites, the colony can experience extreme damage, sometimes to the point of colony collapse. Parasites evolve their anatomy to reflect that of their targeted species, which causes some to remain undetected inside a colony for the majority of their lifespans. The parasites may also experience social parasitic syndrome, a series of changes to their anatomy during their evolution towards exploitative behaviors.