Science

How Ants Actively Protect Themselves Against Dehydration

Good News Post

Jul 8, 2025 — 1 min read

Ant of the species Myrmica rubra carrying a plant seed (photo/©: Dr. Philipp Hönle)

A new study by researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Université Paris Cité has revealed how ants actively adapt their wax layer to protect against dehydration, especially in rising temperatures.

While it’s known that insects use a wax coating to retain moisture and communicate, this study is the first to explore the physical properties of that layer—particularly its viscosity, or resistance to flow.

Researchers found that the wax layer can exist in different states, from gel-like to more fluid, with viscosities similar to honey or olive oil.

This allows ants to balance water retention with chemical communication.

Notably, ants exposed to higher temperatures developed a thicker, more viscous wax layer, helping reduce water loss.

“Ants actively respond to environmental changes by altering the chemical makeup of the wax layer,” said Dr. Florian Menzel of Mainz University. “This lets them maintain its dual function—even under heat stress.”

The findings, published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, highlight how complex phase behavior in the wax layer enables ants to survive in fluctuating climates while still communicating effectively within the colony.

More information: Selina Huthmacher et al, The importance of being heterogeneous: the complex phase behaviour of insect cuticular hydrocarbons, Journal of The Royal Society Interface (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2025.0099

Journal information: Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Provided by Universitaet Mainz

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