A wounded leg, then other ants that take care of it: until then, the behavior evokes a mutual aid. But at Camponotus floridanus, researchers observed a more radical intervention. When an injury touches the femur, workers can remove the entire leg of their partner.
The study published in 2024 distinguishes two situations. For a high wound, the amputation is accompanied by a survival close to 90% under the conditions tested. For a tibia injury, ants prefer to clean the wound. Experimentally amputating these lower legs does not provide the same benefit; bacteria can spread faster.
Contrast is what makes the observation remarkable: the colony does not respond to all wounds with the same gesture. These results do not prove that insects include an infection like a surgeon. Yet they show differentiated and measurable care, where one could expect a simple uniform reaction to a damaged leg.
What we know
Experimental results in Camponotus floridanus; no conscious medical intent demonstrated.
To go to the source
References accessed October 11, 2026. Linked pages may be in another language.
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