Some groups just don't get along.​

每天，都會有數十億的士兵在成千上萬的戰線上

Every day, billions of soldiers fight a merciless war​

打著無情的戰爭， 而這樣的狀況並已經持續了一億年以上。

Every day, billions of soldiers fight a merciless war​

「螞蟻的世界大戰」

on thousands of fronts, and it's been going on for over 100 million years.​

螞蟻是大約在一億六千萬年前出現的古老生物。

on thousands of fronts, and it's been going on for over 100 million years.​

它們非常成功地適應了各式各樣的生態環境，

The World War of the Ants.​

以致牠們能夠成為地球上的優勢物種之一

The World War of the Ants.​

現今，牠們擁有超過16,000種不同的品種

Ants are ancient beings that arose around 160 million years ago,​

個體總數超過1萬兆隻 (即每個人各自對應到一百二十五萬隻)

Ants are ancient beings that arose around 160 million years ago,​

總體來說，單單螞蟻就組成了 陸地上20％的生物質

and took over a wide variety of ecological niches so successfully​

就像人類一樣，他們成功的秘訣就是合作

and took over a wide variety of ecological niches so successfully​

一隻螞蟻是沒什麼用的

that they became one of the dominant animals on planet Earth.​

而聚集在一起，牠們取得驚人的成就

that they became one of the dominant animals on planet Earth.​

牠們建造複雜的巢穴、

Today, they count more than 16,000 different species​

照顧牲畜、

Today, they count more than 16,000 different species​

推行農業

with over 10 thousand trillion individuals.​

或者有複雜的共生關係

with over 10 thousand trillion individuals.​

而當然，螞蟻也發動戰爭

Collectively, ants alone make up 20% of the entire animal biomass on land.​

即便是同一個品種中，彼此間的衝突也是司空見慣的

Collectively, ants alone make up 20% of the entire animal biomass on land.​

前哨戰、襲擊、全面入侵⋯⋯

Similar to humans, their recipe for success is collaboration.​

每天都在發生，並造成數以百萬計的傷亡

Similar to humans, their recipe for success is collaboration.​

在這一系列影片中，我們就來看一些有趣的吧！

While a single ant is pretty useless,​

在本片中將會介紹: 「行軍蟻」 - 為戰爭而生的族群

While a single ant is pretty useless,​

行軍蟻大約有200個不同的品種

together, they are able to achieve stunning feats.​

行軍蟻並不築巢

together, they are able to achieve stunning feats.​

牠們與其他個體數達百萬的群體一起進行遊牧生活

They construct complex colonies,​

在狩獵時，有些品種會形成向外超過100公尺的狩獵列隊

They construct complex colonies,​

並將牠們路上遇到的昆蟲或小型脊椎動物 殺害然後快速肢解

care for livestock,​

最大的狩獵隊伍每天最多可以殺死超過50萬隻動物

care for livestock,​

有些行軍蟻專門狩獵和吞噬其他社會性昆蟲

pursue agriculture,​

像白蟻、黃蜂，特別是其他螞蟻

pursue agriculture,​

黃蜂很兇悍，似乎無懈可擊

or have complex symbiotic relationships.​

但如果蟻群成功的找出通往蜂巢的路

or have complex symbiotic relationships.​

蜂群們根本就不堪一擊

And, of course, ants wage war.​

一些體型更大更強的黃蜂或許可以殺死幾隻行軍蟻

And, of course, ants wage war.​

但他們很快就會被鋪天蓋地的行軍蟻淹沒了

Even among the same species, a constant state of conflict is pretty common.​

即使蜂群的女王倖存下來

Even among the same species, a constant state of conflict is pretty common.​

行軍蟻竊走了蜂巢的幼蟲，並迅速吞食牠們

Skirmishes, raids, and full-on invasions​

這樣蜂巢根本不可能被修復。

Skirmishes, raids, and full-on invasions​

當行軍蟻發現另一個蟻群，他們會立即發動攻擊。

are happening every day, causing millions of casualties.​

現在，你可能會認為這樣是一場更加勢均力敵的戰鬥， 但事實上並非如此。

are happening every day, causing millions of casualties.​

因為行軍蟻是以社會群體來行動的，

Let's look at some of the most interesting ones in a series of videos.​

它們特別危險及高效。

Let's look at some of the most interesting ones in a series of videos.​

大多數行軍蟻各自都不是特別令人詫異 （行軍蟻士兵）　 　（子彈蟻）　 　（亞馬遜巨蟻）

In this one, the ​​army ant​—a swarm made for war.​

但在巢穴組成有效防禦之前，

In this one, the ​​army ant​—a swarm made for war.​

他們已經可以以壓到性的數目吞沒獵物群，

The army ant group consists of about 200 different species.​

所以攻擊者往往戰無不勝，

The army ant group consists of about 200 different species.​

獵物的巢穴也往往被嚴重破壞

Army ants do not build nests; they live a sort-of nomadic lifestyle​

甚至被消滅

Army ants do not build nests; they live a sort-of nomadic lifestyle​

有趣的是，行軍蟻是不會攻擊行軍蟻的

with groups of millions of individuals.​

當兩個蟻群在野外相遇時

with groups of millions of individuals.​

要不是相互忽略、直接路過對方

On a hunt, some species form large columns up to 100 meters long,​

或兩邊都同時彼此遠離。

On a hunt, some species form large columns up to 100 meters long,​

在演化上是很有道理的

killing and immediately dismembering every insect or small vertebrate they encounter.​

與其他行軍蟻打仗的行軍蟻

killing and immediately dismembering every insect or small vertebrate they encounter.​

可能在數百萬年前就把自已滅絕了 (極具高侵略性的品種網內互打)

The biggest hunting parties can kill up to 500,000 animals per day.​

他們的確就是如此致命，故此其他螞蟻物種必須演化出

The biggest hunting parties can kill up to 500,000 animals per day.​

只為「生存」的生存策略

Some army ants specialize in hunting and consuming other social insects​

許多物種在注意到行軍蟻的偵察兵時 就只會感到驚慌並緊急撤離巢穴

Some army ants specialize in hunting and consuming other social insects​

途中攜帶盡可能多的幼蟲

like termites, wasps, and especially other ants.​

以等到襲擊結束後歸巢並重建

like termites, wasps, and especially other ants.​

因為跟行軍蟻戰鬥是徒勞的 其他品種甚至發明了生物掩體

Wasps are fierce, and may seem invulnerable,​

他們有工蟻有「大」「方」頭

Wasps are fierce, and may seem invulnerable,​

當行軍蟻出現時

but if a swarm makes its way to their colonies​

他們用頭堵住巢穴的入口

but if a swarm makes its way to their colonies​

所以攻擊者在一段時間後不得不放棄

they don't even stand a chance.​

但並不是每個蟻都害怕行軍蟻

they don't even stand a chance.​

切葉蟻形成僅次於人類的最大和最複雜的社會

The much bigger and stronger wasps might kill a few of them,​

他們住在深沈廣闊巢穴裡，長寬深達到數米

The much bigger and stronger wasps might kill a few of them,​

擁有上百萬的住民，並且高度複雜的分工

but they are quickly overwhelmed.​

兵蟻比工蟻大上一百倍

but they are quickly overwhelmed.​

牠們唯一的目的可能是 保衛他們的巢穴免於受到行軍蟻的襲擊

Even if their queen survives an attack,​

牠們仍然有一個剋星

Even if their queen survives an attack,​

稱為 Nomamyrmex esenbeckii 的行軍蟻

the army ants steal the colony's larvae, and quickly devour them.​

主要以其他螞蟻的幼蟲為主要食糧

the army ants steal the colony's larvae, and quickly devour them.​

牠們與其他行軍蟻相比有著更強大的士兵

There is no recovery from that.​

到目前我們對螞蟻的認知，牠們是可以成功攻擊成熟切葉蟻群的唯一品種

There is no recovery from that.​

當牠們找到一個切葉蟻蟻巢時，在戰線中發動成千上百的攻擊

When army ants discover another ant colony, they immediately attack.​

在這一刻，切葉蟻發出行軍蟻攻擊的警告，牠們進入緊急狀態

When army ants discover another ant colony, they immediately attack.​

很快的警告傳到士兵，並使它們快速移到被攻擊的地方

Now, you might think this would be a more even battle, but it's not.​

戰線可以長達數米寬，一米的深度

Now, you might think this would be a more even battle, but it's not.​

切葉蟻的士兵與行軍蟻正面交鋒

Because army ants act as a social unit,​

壓制住牠們，然後嘗試切斷他們的腦袋

Because army ants act as a social unit,​

比較小的切葉蟻通過幫忙抓住敵人來提供幫助

they are especially dangerous and effective.​

小隊在戰線後方實施聯合攻擊

they are especially dangerous and effective.​

他們把敵人的腿從身體撕開來支解敵人

Most army ants are not particularly impressive individually,​

與此同時，攻擊者會嘗試聚集被攻擊的士兵

Most army ants are not particularly impressive individually,​

並成群結隊把它們刺死

but they can overwhelm their victims with sheer numbers​

儘管有強大的防守和確實的反擊

but they can overwhelm their victims with sheer numbers​

行軍蟻擁有數量上的優勢

before the victim colony can mount an effective defense.​

所以，在不知道是否可以贏得戰鬥的情況下，切葉蟻為最壞的情況做了準備

before the victim colony can mount an effective defense.​

工蟻們急於製造路障

And so, invasions tend to be won by the attackers​

並封閉大量的入口 盡可能地建築以保護他們的巢穴

And so, invasions tend to be won by the attackers​

如果切葉蟻無法擊退入侵者

and the prey colony is damaged significantly,​

或他們的入口沒有及時被堵起來

and the prey colony is damaged significantly,​

行軍蟻將蜂擁而至，並壓制一切反抗勢力。

or is exterminated.​

牠們會竄入深處隱密的房間

or is exterminated.​

把切葉蟻的巢穴全偷了個遍去把它吃光

Interestingly, army ants don't fight army ants.​

即使是切葉蟻的巢穴倖存下來，這也是一個沉重的打擊

Interestingly, army ants don't fight army ants.​

無論勝負歸誰，成千上萬的螞蟻也會在沙場上壯烈犧牲

When two swarms encounter each other in the wild,​

當行軍蟻發動襲擊時，死亡隨之而來

When two swarms encounter each other in the wild,​

但是，還有其他螞蟻品種會形成更危險的行軍蟻群、

they either pass through each other, ignoring the other swarm,​

並擁有佔地數千平方公里的超級群落

they either pass through each other, ignoring the other swarm,​

而在多個大陸上引發戰線長達數公里的戰爭

or both colonies just move away.​

這值得我們專門做一期去介紹他們

or both colonies just move away.​

無論規模如何，戰爭是螞蟻存在的一部分

Which makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint.​

無論是巨大的殖民地還是試圖抵擋襲擊的小團體

Which makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint.​

牠們在熱帶雨林中，也在我們每天走過的混凝土裂縫

Army ants that fought other army ants​

人類決定戰爭不再是他們經常想做的事

Army ants that fought other army ants​

但對於螞蟻來說，另一群螞蟻永遠是敵人

probably eradicated themselves millions of years ago.​

是的，蟻群們就是不能和諧共處

probably eradicated themselves millions of years ago.​

如果你想再看更多關於螞蟻的影片，在CuriosityStream的支持下

Indeed, they're so deadly, that other ant species had to specialize​

我們在開發螞蟻系列的 Part 2

Indeed, they're so deadly, that other ant species had to specialize​

CuriosityStream是一種訂閱媒體 為成千上萬的紀錄片提供服務

to survive their presence.​

kurzgesagt觀眾可以訪問：curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt

to survive their presence.​

獲得免費試用31天的電影 比如，“小花園裡的大世界”

Many species just panic and evacuate their nest when they notice army ant scouts​

一部仔細觀察在我們周圍的昆蟲世界的紀錄片

Many species just panic and evacuate their nest when they notice army ant scouts​

或者喜歡的其他紀錄片 史蒂芬霍金，大衛·艾登堡

carrying as many larvae with them as they can,​

還有更多，都可以線下觀看

carrying as many larvae with them as they can,​

一旦你的試用結束，那麼訂閱費用僅為每月2.99美元

in order to return and rebuild after the attack.​

CuriosityStream的創立者是跟探索頻道同一人

in order to return and rebuild after the attack.​

以紀錄片跨越科學，自然， 歷史，技術和生活

Other species have invented living bunkers, since fighting is so futile.​

這是觀看有趣影片且不小心學習到東西的絕佳方式

Other species have invented living bunkers, since fighting is so futile.​

非常感謝我們的朋友們 CuriosityStream用於支持我們對螞蟻的痴迷

They have worker classes that have big square heads.​

並使這樣雄心勃勃的項目成為可能

They have worker classes that have big square heads.​

請繼續關注 Part 2

When army ants show up,​

並訪問curiositystream.com/kurzgesagt進行免費試用

When army ants show up,​

they use them to block the entrances to their nests,​

they use them to block the entrances to their nests,​

so the attackers have to give up after a while.​

so the attackers have to give up after a while.​

But, not everybody is afraid of army ants.​

But, not everybody is afraid of army ants.​

Leafcutter ants form some of the largest and most complex societies​

Leafcutter ants form some of the largest and most complex societies​

of any animal other than humans.​

of any animal other than humans.​

They live in extensive nests, many meters deep and across,​

They live in extensive nests, many meters deep and across,​

harboring millions of citizens with a highly-sophisticated division of labor.​

harboring millions of citizens with a highly-sophisticated division of labor.​

Like huge soldiers—100 times more massive than a worker.​

Like huge soldiers—100 times more massive than a worker.​

Their sole purpose might be to defend their colonies against army ants.​

Their sole purpose might be to defend their colonies against army ants.​

They still have a nemesis though.​

They still have a nemesis though.​

The diet of the army ant​ ​species ​​Nomamyrmex esenbekii​

The diet of the army ant​ ​species ​​Nomamyrmex esenbekii​

consists mostly of the larvae of other ants.​

consists mostly of the larvae of other ants.​

Compared to other army ants, they have a more robust soldier cast.​

Compared to other army ants, they have a more robust soldier cast.​

So far, they are the only known species that can successfully attack a mature colony of leafcutters.​

So far, they are the only known species that can successfully attack a mature colony of leafcutters.​

When they find a leafcutter colony, hundreds of thousands attack in a long column.​

When they find a leafcutter colony, hundreds of thousands attack in a long column.​

The moment the leafcutter ants notice the army ant attack, they go into crisis mode​

The moment the leafcutter ants notice the army ant attack, they go into crisis mode​

and immediately alert their soldiers, who very quickly swarm to the site of attack.​

and immediately alert their soldiers, who very quickly swarm to the site of attack.​

A frontline develops that can be a few meters wide, and up to a meter deep.​

A frontline develops that can be a few meters wide, and up to a meter deep.​

The leafcutter soldiers go head-to-head with the army ants,​

The leafcutter soldiers go head-to-head with the army ants,​

locking on them, and try to cut through their heads.​

locking on them, and try to cut through their heads.​

Smaller leafcutter workers help by grabbing the enemies.​

Smaller leafcutter workers help by grabbing the enemies.​

Small teams carry out attacks behind the frontline,​

Small teams carry out attacks behind the frontline,​

where they dismember their enemies by ripping their legs from their bodies.​

where they dismember their enemies by ripping their legs from their bodies.​

The attackers, meanwhile, try to swarm their victim soldiers,​

The attackers, meanwhile, try to swarm their victim soldiers,​

and sting them to death in a mob.​

and sting them to death in a mob.​

Despite the powerful defense, and the determined response,​

Despite the powerful defense, and the determined response,​

the army ants are still superior in numbers.​

the army ants are still superior in numbers.​

So, without knowing if the battle can be won, the leafcutters prepare for the worst.​

So, without knowing if the battle can be won, the leafcutters prepare for the worst.​

Workers rush to create barricades,​

Workers rush to create barricades,​

and seal off as many entrances to their nest as possible to secure their brood.​

and seal off as many entrances to their nest as possible to secure their brood.​

If the leafcutters are not able to repel the invaders,​

If the leafcutters are not able to repel the invaders,​

or at least barricade enough of their entrances in time,​

or at least barricade enough of their entrances in time,​

the army ants swarm the nest, overrunning all opposition.​

the army ants swarm the nest, overrunning all opposition.​

They penetrate deep into the hidden chambers,​

They penetrate deep into the hidden chambers,​

and steal tens of thousands of the leafcutters' brood to eat them.​

and steal tens of thousands of the leafcutters' brood to eat them.​

Even if the leafcutter colony survives, this is a heavy blow.​

Even if the leafcutter colony survives, this is a heavy blow.​

Regardless who has won the war, thousands lay slain on the battlefield.​

Regardless who has won the war, thousands lay slain on the battlefield.​

When the army ants attack, death follows them.​

When the army ants attack, death follows them.​

But, there are other species that form much more dangerous ant armies.​

But, there are other species that form much more dangerous ant armies.​

Species that form supercolonies, covering thousands of square kilometers​

Species that form supercolonies, covering thousands of square kilometers​

over multiple continents, engaging in wars kilometers across.​

over multiple continents, engaging in wars kilometers across.​

They deserve their own video though.​

They deserve their own video though.​

No matter the scale, war is a part of ant existence,​

No matter the scale, war is a part of ant existence,​

be it between huge colonies or small groups trying to fend off a raid.​

be it between huge colonies or small groups trying to fend off a raid.​

In tropical rainforests, but also in the cracks of the concrete we walk over every day.​

In tropical rainforests, but also in the cracks of the concrete we walk over every day.​