Buzz
Ants are among the most accomplished creatures on the planet, often outpacing humans in many ways. This extraordinary success has led to the evolution of several species that mimic ants, typically for protection, though sometimes for more devious reasons. These animals rely on their ability to convincingly impersonate ants, hoping to deceive predators and prey alike into thinking they belong to the vast, unpalatable ant colony. Here are the top contenders in this risky form of deception.
10. Spiders
Over 100 spider species mimic ants to varying degrees of effectiveness. This can be a tricky feat, as spiders typically have only two body segments, while ants boast three. One crab spider species, Aphanlochilus rogersi, goes a step further by carrying around the severed heads of ants it has killed to enhance its disguise. Once it completes the illusion with the final segment, it can continue its ruthless hunt for more unsuspecting ants.
However, Synemosyna jumping spiders don’t need any extra props, as their mimicry is flawless. One of their body segments is naturally constricted, creating the illusion of a three-segmented body, making their disguise even more convincing.
9. Thrips
Thrips are small, delicate insects with wings that feed on both animals and plants by using their unique asymmetrical mouthparts to pierce and suck. Often regarded as agricultural pests, members of the genus Franklinothrips imitate ants in both looks and behavior.
One species from Africa, F. megalops, excels at this mimicry, particularly the females. The males, however, are paler and appear more shrimp-like, once again facing the typical disparity found in the insect world.
8. Mantids
Praying mantids are infamous for their lethal hunting skills—not just on prey but sometimes on their mates as well. The Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) prefers a more subtle approach, being exceptionally small for a bug. The adults are strikingly odd in appearance, making them a favorite among insect collectors, while their nymphs closely resemble black ants to ward off predators.
The aptly named Asian ant mantis (Odontomantis planiceps) takes mimicry to the next level; it’s nearly impossible to tell apart from a real ant unless you examine it so closely you might later regret it due to the unsettling images that follow.
7. Walking Sticks
Giant prickly stick insects (Extatosoma tiaratum) are Australian creatures covered in thorny spines. They can fly surprisingly well and, when threatened, raise their rear ends in the air to mimic a scorpion’s defensive posture. Their nymphs emerge from the egg looking remarkably similar to Leptomyrmex, also known as spider ants, with a red head and black body. While it’s not a perfect imitation, it seems to be enough to fool birds that dislike the bitter taste of ants. At least the nymphs enjoy a brief period of being somewhat cute before they grow into their monstrous adult forms.
6. Mites
Mites thrive by being so small that they go unnoticed while they drain their hosts. It’s likely that mites are currently living in your eyebrows without you even knowing. Ants, despite their small size, are also vulnerable to mites. Planodiscus mites attach to South/Central American army ants and imitate them, feeding on their host’s bodily fluids. Their exoskeleton is shaped in such a way that it blends seamlessly with an ant’s leg, the body part where they cling to their parasitic ride.
There are also mites from the Habeogula genus, which are some of the least subtle parasites on Earth. These mites sneak up to an ant’s head, latch onto its neck, and position themselves to steal food while the unsuspecting ant is eating.
5. Hemiptera
The Hemiptera order, often referred to as 'true bugs,' comprises 50,000 to 80,000 species. What unites them is their distinctive arrangement of sucking mouthparts. A small number of these insects closely resemble ants and live among them. The assassin bug is a prime example. When their young hatch, they stay together in groups, mimicking ants to provide an extra layer of protection from predators, adding to the creepy factor.
4. Beetles
Many beetles mimic ants to avoid predators, but a few go a step further and infiltrate ant colonies.
Rove beetles (Staphylinidae superfamily), often parasites, travel alongside army ants. They can change their color to blend with the ants. Even worse than the previously mentioned headhunting spider, rove beetles are notorious baby killers, using their ant disguise to feast on larvae and eggs. And, in an even more unsettling twist, they are gleeful cannibals, devouring their own young as well.
Then there's the Adranes genus of beetles, which take the lazy route to their disguise. By imitating the scent of ant larvae, these beetles trick their hosts into feeding them while they lounge around the colony, acting like tiny Marlon Brandos.
3. Snails
The recently discovered ant-loving snail, Allopeas myrmekophilos, has a rather unusual talent that sets it apart from other snails. While it doesn’t exactly resemble an ant, it does bear a striking resemblance to an egg—specifically, a ponerine army ant egg. Its first deceptive move is to release a pheromone-infused foam, tricking the army ants into carrying it back to their nest. The snail’s shell provides protection from any potential attacks by the ants' mandibles.
Once the snail is safely inside the ant colony, its egg-like appearance grants it unhindered access to raid the food stores. When it's time for the colony to relocate, the crafty snail exudes more of its enticing foam, ensuring another comfortable ride to a new home.
2. Treehoppers
Treehoppers, closely related to cicadas and leafhoppers, are best known for their oversized pronotum, which often looks like a thorn protruding from their back. These spiny features can sometimes be bizarrely creative, resembling less of a thorn and more like the twisted creation of a mad artist. One particular species, Cyphonia clavata, has developed a pronotum that mimics the appearance of an ant riding on its back. Although the coloration is accurate, the shape itself is more of a chaotic cluster of ant-like fragments pieced together.
1. Flies
Stilt-Legged Flies (Micropezidae) get their name from their long, spindly, spider-like legs. Some species in the Mimegralla genus wave their front legs to resemble wasps, while one species, Anaeropsis, sports grotesque stalked eyes. A few species, such as those in the strongylophthalmyiid genus, mimic ants. While not a flawless imitation, it works in the fly's favor, as it can always buzz off to a new spot whenever the ant authorities ask for its identification papers.
