研究發現，蟻群中存在一種利他性的自我犧牲行為。當螞蟻蛹瀕臨死亡時，會釋放特定化學氣味，向成年工蟻傳遞即將死亡或可能帶有傳染風險的訊號。工蟻接收到訊號後，便會將病蛹從繭中移出，並釋放抗菌毒素以殺死蛹及潛在的病原體。

A study discovered a form of altruistic self-sacrifice within ant colonies. Terminally infected ant pupae emit a chemical odor that signals their impending death or risk of contagion to adult worker ants. Upon receiving these signals, the workers remove the sick pupae from their cocoons and apply antimicrobial poison to eliminate both the pupae and the pathogens.

https://www.popsci.com/environment/ill-infant-ants-sacrifice/