Killer Ants - Hardcover

Grade 3–5—This colorful introduction examines four types of unusually aggressive, predatory ants. After a spread covering the insects in general, separate sections of varying lengths briefly describe the outstanding physical characteristics of army, driver, fire, and bulldog ants; their habitats; nests; behavior (particularly their methods of attack); diet and feeding habits; and the danger they pose to humans. A few dramatic encounters are related. The army ant section also describes life cycle; the functions the queen, males, and workers perform within the colony; communication; and a typical "raid." Realistic, vivid color drawings of these creatures accompany the text on every page; a few illustrations are larger. While the majority of this sensationalistic work is clearly written, there is a confusing discrepancy regarding army-ant diet. One sentence states that the ants "...eat only invertebrates..." and merely sting vertebrates, but another, on the same page, declares that "Any creature in their path has to run for its life." Also, the book opens with an account of hunters thwarting an army-ant attack on caged animals by setting a fire. It is unclear if this was an actual incident. Sandra Markle's Army Ants (Lerner, 2005) gives a clearer description of the ants' behavior and is a better choice for reports. It affirms that they will prey on any animal, points out their role as scavengers, offers more detail on a typical raid, and is illustrated with sharp, close-up photographs. Nirgiotis's title is good for browsing.—Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library END