Ants Attack Termite Mounds | Natural World: Ant Attack | BBC Earth

The entire army is mobilising. The raiding parties head out to the last place they'd found food, where they had pinned down the few winged termites. The bearing they've taken is leading them straight towards the termite mound itself. Ants and termites have been adversaries for over a hundred million years. Now their armies of today are on a collision course. But without any physical contact, the blind army is as unaware of the termites ahead as the termites are of the approaching ants. They begin to swarm over the outside of the termite towers that for the moment appear to them to be just mounds of dried mud. Guards are posted, while others explore every crevice for any sign of food. First contact. The ants know there's something here and change direction towards the alarm signal. They mass around, the guards alert for any unpleasant surprises. This is unknown territory. Anything could be lying in wait down there. A worker gingerly explores the gaping hole and a scouting party lays a scent trail for others to follow. Activity increases. An assault is on. Other ants have found the termites foraging tunnels. And scramble inside. The tunnels are narrow and not at all like the open spaces driver ants prefer. Termite soldiers with enormous jaws and heads prepare to check the incursion. A soldier termite confronts the invaders with a threat display. But it's not going to impress a driver ant. The ants penetrate deep into the nest. And the residents intensify their warning. First blood is to the termites. But the tunnel guards are in danger of being overrun. The ants break through the first line of defence.