Not all ants build anthills and collect leaves—Nylandria

fulva loves electronics, although for a different reason

than the human hackers do: Mobile phones, computers,

and even entire power stations can serve as a nursery for the

offspring of these 3-millimeter-long reddish insects. “Perhaps

they prefer such places because they’re warm, or they might

like them because they can easily defend the small spaces,”

suspects entomologist Roger Gold. The ants nibble insulation

and tread upon contacts. If an ant gets electrocuted, its body

emits a pheromone that warns the rest of the colony of danger.

Suddenly, more than 100,000 ants are sent into attack mode.

The mass rampage often destroys entire electrical systems.

One chemical plant’s pipeline valve control system failed twice

in a month. Ants cause up to $145 million in damages a year.

NAME: NYLANDERIA FULVA

ATTACK AREA: NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

PREFERRED TARGET: ELECTRICAL CONTROL SYSTEMS

WEAPON: CHEMICAL MARKERS

DAMAGE: SHORT CIRCUIT, TOTAL FAILURE

WE OPEN THE VALVES OF CHEMICAL PLANTS