Foraging ants navigate extra effectively when given energy-drink-like doses of caffeine

Ants who obtain a caffeine-laced sugary reward turn out to be extra environment friendly at navigating again to the reward’s location in comparison with ants that solely obtain sugar. Caffeinated ants transfer towards the reward by way of a extra direct path however don’t improve their velocity, suggesting that caffeine improved their potential to study. The research was performed on Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), a globally invasive species, and the researchers say that incorporating caffeine into ant baits might help efforts to regulate the ants by enhancing bait uptake.