New study reveals urban ants more willing to accept low-quality food – a potential warning sign for urban ecosystems

A new study published in the journal Urban Ecosystems has revealed that the common black garden ant (Lasius niger) behaves differently depending on whether it lives in a bustling city or the quiet countryside. The researchers, led by an international team from Ukraine, Germany, and Poland, found that urban ants are much more willing to accept low-concentration sugar solutions, which their rural counterparts typically reject. These findings suggest that the pressures of city living may be fundamentally altering their nutritional landscape.