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African driver ants All Hail the Queens driver ants driver ant
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African driver ants
African driver ants A column of nomadic driver ants (Dorylus species) marching in an African desert. Soldier ants with large mandibles can be seen guarding the column along the bottom. Driver ant colonies can contain over 20 million individuals. 

driver ant

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History

driver ant, (genus Dorylus), any of a large genus of predominantly African ants characterized by a nomadic existence alternating with quiet, egg-laying periods. These ferocious ant colonies, when in the nomadic stage, move to a new spot each day.

Taxonomy

See also list of ants, bees, and wasps.

Using their powerful cutting jaws, driver ants attack everything in their path, including snakes, birds, mammals, and even human beings. Their systematic search for prey involves climbing into trees and shrubs. The African driver ant is similar to the New World army ant (Eciton).

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.