March 24, 2006

The Loaded Language of Science

By JOAN M. HERBERS

I study ants. In recent years I've focused my research on so-called "slavemaking ants" — species known for invading the colonies of other ant species, stealing their larvae and pupae, and killing those defending ants that try to protect their colony. The marauders then raise the stolen larvae and pupae as their own. Once fully grown into adult worker ants, those kidnapped "slaves" are put to work for their captors. This highly evolved behavior is fascinating to watch, and has

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