driver ant

driver ant
n.

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insect
      African member of the insect subfamily Dorylinae (family Formicidae; order Hymenoptera) characterized by a nomadic existence alternating with quiet, egg-laying periods. These ferocious ant colonies, when in the nomadic stage, move to a new spot each day.

      Using their powerful cutting jaws, driver ants attack everything in their path, including snakes, birds, mammals, and even human beings. Their systematic search for prey involves climbing into trees and shrubs. The African driver ant is similar to the New World army ant (Eciton). See ant.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Driver ant — Driver Driv er, n. [From {Drive}.] 1. One who, or that which, drives; the person or thing that urges or compels anything else to move onward. [1913 Webster] 2. The person who drives beasts or a carriage; a coachman; a charioteer, etc.; hence,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • driver ant — n. ARMY ANT …   English World dictionary

  • driver ant — noun tropical nomadic ant that preys mainly on other insects • Syn: ↑army ant, ↑legionary ant • Hypernyms: ↑ant, ↑emmet, ↑pismire • Member Holonyms: ↑Dorylinae, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • driver ant — driv′er ant n. ent army ant • Etymology: 1855–60 …   From formal English to slang

  • driver ant — /ˈdraɪvər ænt/ (say druyvuhr ant) noun any of the ants of the subfamily Dorylinae, occurring in tropical Africa and America, which live in temporary nests and travel as vast armies in long files, preying on other animals, chiefly insects. Also,… …  

  • driver ant — noun Date: 1859 army ant; specifically any of various African and Asian ants (Dorylus or related genera) that move in vast numbers …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • driver ant. — See army ant. [1855 60] * * * …   Universalium

  • driver ant — noun another term for army ant …   English new terms dictionary

  • driver ant. — See army ant. [1855 60] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Driver — may refer to: Contents 1 Places 2 Surnames of people 2.1 Fiction 3 Occupation and activity 3.1 …   Wikipedia

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