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Biology

The Evolution of Social Immunity in Insect Colonies

Quick fact

In some ant species, workers that pick up harmful pathogens are 'quarantined' by their nestmates, who groom them more intensely and prevent them from entering the colony's core, effectively isolating the sick.

Why this is interesting

When a fungus invades an ant colony, the ants don't just run—they throw a coordinated defense. How can a group of tiny insects act like a single immune system?