
An insect may have only a few hundred brain cells, but insect organiza-
tions are capable of architectural marvels, elaborate communication sys-
tems, and terrific resistance to the threats of nature.
E. O. Wilson began his systematic study of the social behaviors of ants
in 1953, when he attended Konrad Lorenz’ lectures at Harvard Univer-
sity. Lorenz is probably best known as the scientist who showed the phe-
nomenon of “imprinting” in animals: some kinds of baby birds adopt
the first thing they see when they hatch as their parent and follow it ev-
erywhere it goes. In some famous photographs, Lorenz is seen leading a
line of happy goslings who had