They are thought by many as having a collective intelligence, and each ant is considered then as an individual cell of a bigger organism. The colony is made up of one or more queens and many female workers . During two or three days a year there will also be drones , which seem to have only a reproductive function. The queen emits an scent that makes all the workers behave in the way they do. An ant that looses its way to the nest does not live long.
Some ants have 'armies' and are very organized into causing a lot of damage, and consequent fear.
These species live in Africa and South America. Some of their social behaviors vary with the species .