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Studies show ants are remarkably intelligent creatures that even know how to stop infections from spreading.This includes tweaking entrances, tunnels, and chambers to prevent infected ants from interacting with healthy ones.When exposed to a fungal pathogen called metarhizium brunneum, the ants, specifically Lasius niger, change their nest structure in several ways. They increase the distance between entrances, possibly to reduce contact rates at the surface. They also dig faster, creating more tunnels and making the nest less connected, which helps to lower the chances of spreading the infection. The ants also change the position of the chambers within the nest, making them less central and hence less likely to be hubs for spreading the pathogen. These changes in the nest's layout mirror some of the strategies used in human societies to prevent the spread of diseases like COVID-19 and the bubonic plague. The ants' response to the pathogen threat is a combination of behavioral changes and structural modifications to their environment. Beyond architectural immunity, ants also self-medication behavior to combat fungal infections. Experiments revealed that infected ants, when given the choice, opted to consume a hydrogen peroxide solution, despite its potential toxicity, over a harmless honey-laced alternative. Remarkably, the ants appeared to regulate their intake of the hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating an ability to utilize its antifungal properties while minimizing harmful effects. This shows the sophisticated survival strategies employed by social insects facing the constant threat of disease outbreaks within their densely populated colonies.learn more https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982224008054