# Colobopsis explodens > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Colobopsis_explodens > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Colobopsis_explodens.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobopsis_explodens > Source revision: 1339031905 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Species of Asian ant}} {{More citations needed|date=May 2025}} {{Speciesbox | image = Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 2.jpg | image_caption = | genus = Colobopsis | species = explodens | authority = Laciny & Zettel 2018{{cite journal|last1=Laciny|first1=A.|last2=Zettel|first2=H.|last3=Kopchinskiy|first3=A.|last4=Pretzer|first4=C.|last5=Pal|first5=A.|last6= Salim|first6=K.A.|last7=Rahimi|first7=M.J|last8=Hoenigsberger|first8=M.|last9=Lim|first9=L.|last10=Jaitrong|first10=W.|last11=Druzhinina|first11=IS| year=2018|title=Colobopsis explodens sp. n., model species for studies on "exploding ants" (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with biological notes and first illustrations of males of the Colobopsis cylindrica group|journal=ZooKeys|issue=751|pages=1–40|doi=10.3897/zookeys.751.22661|pmid=29706783|pmc=5919914|doi-access=free|bibcode=2018ZooK..751....1L }} }} '''''Colobopsis explodens''''' is a species of [ant](/source/ant) which is found in [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia). Like some other species in its [genus](/source/Colobopsis), it is noted for a rare combat mechanism of workers [exploding](/source/Autothysis) in self-defense, smothering the enemy with a toxic and often deadly secretion. This suicidal defensive adaptation also occurs among some species of [termites](/source/Globitermes_sulphureus): it is termed [autothysis](/source/autothysis), and as ants and termites are members of different insect [orders](/source/Order_(biology)), it is an example of [convergent evolution](/source/convergent_evolution). ==Common name== thumb|left|Scheme of a worker ant's anatomy thumb|left|''Colobopsis explodens'' pupa In the past, it was informally known as "'''yellow goo'''," named after the brightly colored "goo" produced by its exploding worker ants.{{Cite web|url=https://www.livescience.com/62354-exploding-ants-new-species.html|title=Exploding Ants Kill Foes, and Themselves, with a Blast of Toxic Goo|last1=Weisberger|first1=Mindy|last2=April 19|first2=Senior Writer {{!}}|website=Live Science|access-date=2019-02-02|last3=ET|first3=2018 02:07pm|date=19 April 2018}} ==Range== They are found in countries in Southeast Asia, such as [Thailand](/source/Thailand), [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia), and [Borneo](/source/Borneo). ==Colonies and habitat== Their colonies can contain thousands of individual ants and inhabit the leafy canopies of trees. They often nest in trees of family [Dipterocarpaceae](/source/Dipterocarpaceae). A colony may consist of multiple nests in several trees, connected by ant-trails. Their nests may be as high as 60 m above the ground. One colony was estimated to cover an area of at least 2,500 m. ==Defenses== This species is known for its unusual type of self-defense. The earliest recording was in 1916, but it was detailed fully in 1974. When threatened, it will voluntarily flex its gaster and explode, producing a highly toxic chemical sludge (with a spice-like smell) in an attempt to kill or repel said instigator. In addition to helping protect the ant against potentially threatening predators, it is thought due to its "strong antimicrobial and low insecticidal activity of the mandibular gland" to be a way the ants disinfect and protect their nest against harmful bacteria and fungi. == Diet == Minor workers of this species will graze on [epiphyte](/source/epiphyte)s, presumably for food or at least liquid. They have also been found to consume yeast suspended in water, dead insects and fish offered to them. == Gallery == {{Gallery |title= |width=160 |height= |align=center |noborder= |whitebg= |footer= |File:Testa colobopsis explodens operaia.jpg |alt1= |Head of {{em|Colobopsis explodens}} worker |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 2.jpg |alt2= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} worker |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 4.jpg |alt4= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} worker. (a) vertex of major worker (paratype), (b) gastral tergite I, (c) gastral tergite IV of minor worker (holotype), (d) labels of holotype, minor worker |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 3.jpg |alt3= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} soldier. (a) full-face view, (b) frontal shield (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 5.jpg |alt5= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} queen. (a) full-face view, (b) frontal shield (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view, (e) forewing with indicated measurements 2r and 4RsM |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 6.jpg |alt6= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} male. (a) full-face view, (b) wings (c) lateral view, (d) dorsal view |File:Colobopsis explodens (10.3897-zookeys.751.22661) Figure 7.jpg |alt7= |{{em|Colobopsis explodens}} male reproductive system and genitals. (a) dorsal, (b) ventral (c) lateral view, (d) left penis valve, (e) right volsella and gonostylus }} == References == == External links == * [https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/22661/element/2/12// Colobopsis explodens] * [https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/22661/list/2/ Colobopsis explodens] {{Taxonbar|from=Q52063622}} {{Authority control}} explodens Category:Hymenoptera of Asia Category:Exploding animals Category:Insects of Southeast Asia Category:Insects of Thailand Category:Insects of Malaysia Category:Insects of Borneo {{formicinae-stub}} --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Colobopsis explodens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobopsis_explodens) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colobopsis_explodens?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.