How Epigenetics Can Affect Ants’ Behavior

Researchers Shelley Berger and Daniel Simola describe how they used epigenetics to change the behavior of ants. Ants have a structured workforce where smaller ones, called minors, tend to forage for food; larger ants, called majors, act as soldiers. By applying compounds to the brains of developing majors, the researchers were able to induce minor-like behavior in this group.