Green tree ants are famous in the tropics

Green tree ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) are plentiful in tropical forests from India to northern Australia. And, as this short from the science documentary series Deep Look details, their dominance has spawned quite a few imitators. With close-up looks at four of these copycats – one insect and three spiders – the video explores how each has evolved to resemble the ants in appearance, behaviour and even smell. Some leverage the ants’ reputation as fierce fighters to avoid being eaten themselves; others use their disguise to get close enough to make a meal of the ants and their young. While some disguises are more convincing than others, each is good enough to provide an evolutionary advantage that allows these creatures to reap the benefits of the green tree ant’s success. Green tree ants have been successful for ages. Enter the imposters Video by KQED Science Producer and writer: Mike Seely Narrator and writer: Margaret Katcher Cinematographer: Jordan Dean videoEvolution Incredible footage captures the ants that transform other species into loyal servants 5 minutes videoEvolution A cut-throat case of evolutionary backstabbing in the Peruvian rainforest 3 minutes videoEvolution When is a leaf not a leaf? When it’s got six legs and a face 4 minutes videoEvolution The longest, most brutal wars on Earth are fought on ant-sized scales 9 minutes videoBiology Coded vibrations and signal jamming – the secret language of the treehoppers 5 minutes videoEvolution The master-of-disguise creature whose whole life is an elaborate lie 5 minutes videoBiology Glow worms mimic stars, creating a stunning faux night sky in a New Zealand cave 4 minutes videoEvolution Think agriculture is unique to us? Leafcutter ants are phenomenal fungus farmers 4 minutes videoEcology and environmental sciences How to maintain infrastructure – the stunning collective intelligence of ant engineers 1 minute