You Won’t Believe How Many Ants Are in the World!

They are small but omnipresent, discreet yet vital. A recent scientific study estimates that there are about 20 quadrillion ants on Earth, equivalent to 20 million billion. This colossal population underscores their essential role in terrestrial ecosystems.

a colossal number of ants in the world

In 2022, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences revealed a staggering estimate. The Earth is home to approximately 20 quadrillion ants. This conclusion resulted from meticulous work compiling data from nearly 500 studies on insect biodiversity across continents, biomes, and various types of habitats.

This estimate far surpasses that of 1994, the first scientific attempt at quantification, which relied on simple extrapolation from data in Southeast England. The current methodology offers a more global and precise view by integrating a broader range of data. It also highlights some gaps, particularly in regions like Asia and Africa where data remains limited.

To visualize this monumental figure, imagine 2.5 million ants for every human on Earth. A dizzying perspective that attests to their incredible omnipresence.

a biomass of impressive proportions

Beyond the impressive number of ants worldwide, their global weight is equally remarkable. According to researchers, these 20 quadrillion individuals total a biomass of around 12 megatons of dry carbon, equivalent to 20% of human biomass. To put this into perspective, this weight corresponds to the total biomass of domesticated poultry like chickens.

Their impact doesn’t stop there. A study from 2023 reveals an astonishing fact: all terrestrial insects and arthropods combined reach a weight of one billion tons. This far exceeds human biomass, estimated at 400 million tons, and that of livestock animals, close to 600 million.

• This superiority in biomass underscores their crucial role in ecosystems.
• Insects, especially ants, are essential for recycling organic matter.
• They enrich soils and help regulate pest insect populations.

an exceptional diversity unevenly documented

Ants also stand out due to their extraordinary diversity. Currently, scientists have cataloged over 15,700 species and subspecies. However, this number could be twice as high if we include unknown species. These insects can adapt to a wide variety of ecosystems and climatic conditions, explaining their presence on every continent except Antarctica.

Certain regions like tropical forests and savannas concentrate nearly two-thirds of known species. These ecosystems rich in natural resources offer ideal conditions for their development. Nonetheless, vast areas such as Asia and Africa remain under-studied. This means our current knowledge of ant biodiversity is still partial and many species remain undiscovered.

• The geographical distribution of ants reflects complex ecological dynamics.
• Certain isolated islands like Iceland or parts of Eastern Polynesia host no native species.

the evolution of ants

Ants are not only numerous and varied but also ancient. According to a 2006 study, they date back between 140 and 168 million years, during the Jurassic period. This era was marked by a warm and humid climate that favored the emergence of many life forms including dinosaurs and early flowering plants.

The appearance of flowering plants played a crucial role in ant evolution by providing new food sources that promoted diversification. Since then, ants have evolved to adapt to a wide variety of ecological niches by developing complex social behaviors and symbiotic relationships with other species.
This remarkable evolutionary history partly explains their current success; they have survived major climatic changes becoming one of Earth’s most prosperous insect lineages.