Posted by Patricia on April 5, 2003

Q: I'd like to know where is located the organs to detect taste in the ants? I've read in your site, already, about the sense of smell... It's a great site! thanks!

Pat

A: To begin, I think it helpful to define taste and smell from a human perspective. Basically, we taste something that is in a liquid form (salty, sweet, bitter, or sour) while we smell odors from the air. Keep in mind that when humans "taste" pizza, for example, we're really tasting AND smelling at the same time - these two senses compliment each other.

Ants certainly use their antennae ("feelers" on their head) for picking up odors in the air but can also "smell/taste" by touching an object or scent trail with their antennae, as well as, detect odors with their legs. On the other hand, some ant species regularly tend aphids and feed on the sweet, honeydew produced by these insects. The ants eagerly drink this sweet liquid and appear to be quite conscious of its taste.

Since humans don't have antennae, we really don't have a good term for what these incredible organs can do for insects. So, to answer your question - ants definitely appear to be able to taste some material with their mouths but also can use their antennae and legs to detect material in solution or in the air - if you want to call that smelling or tasting, that's up to you. Hope this helps.

John Wiessinger ( April 7, 2003)