Ants as a culinary delight.
A company specializing in importing foreign food has announced it will sell half a ton of large Colombian ants, known for their sizable abdomens and commonly found in cemeteries, to countries in Europe, Australia, and the United States. This move comes after roasted ants gained popularity in the UK. Edible Limited, the agency responsible for importing these ants, has added a new item to its catalog of the world’s strangest delicacies, titled “Giant Toasted Ants,” following two previous items: “Chocolate-Covered Crickets” and “Scorpion Potatoes.”
Ants as house pets
An estimated thousands of ants are currently being “nurtured and cared for” in apartments across Germany. They are emerging as a new pet craze, captivating the interest of the German populace.
People are no longer hesitant to spend hundreds of euros on a large transparent plastic ant farm, comparable in size to a coffee table, which houses a “kingdom” of ants, including a queen and hundreds of worker ants. Many are realizing that pets do not have to be puppies, kittens, or brightly colored fish. Ants are much easier to care for than these traditional pets. For example, they do not eat much—just the leftover scraps of human food; they do not emit odors; they do not create noise that could disturb you; they can live up to 30 years and are very clean—often considered finicky. Above all, they are remarkably charming and have a special allure.
Giant ants invade Australia
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There are approximately 10,000 species of ants worldwide |
A massive colony of non-native ants has been spotted in Melbourne, Australia, stretching over 100 kilometers (62 miles) long—a phenomenon never seen before. The unusual presence of these unfamiliar ants poses a threat to the existence of other species living in the city. These ants, initially identified as imported from Argentina, are classified among the 100 most harmful invasive species in the world. Although they originally existed in small groups similar to other ant species in their native Argentina, upon entering Australia, these small colonies gradually merged into a colossal swarm of millions, extending over 100 kilometers. Environmental experts fear that the invasion of this large ant colony threatens the biodiversity of many other species in the region. It is known that Argentine ants are harmless to humans but pose a significant danger to native ant species, plants, and various other insects.
Termites threaten ancient heritage sites in China
The termite species, known for their affinity for wood, particularly older timber, have been aggressively gnawing on the ancient wooden architecture in Xi’an, China, which includes buildings and temples over 1,400 years old. This infestation poses a serious threat to the integrity of these structures, which could suffer severe damage at any moment. The termites are threatening a 2,000-year-old architectural complex in Xi’an, specifically putting 18 buildings at risk, including the heavily infested Beilin Museum constructed during the Tang dynasty (618-907) and the ancient Dayan Pagoda of the same era. Xi’an, one of China’s most famous cities, was historically the capital during 13 dynasties and is widely recognized as the home of the Terracotta Army, featuring thousands of life-sized warriors discovered in the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
