Ants to fight superbugs

ANTS are being recruited as soldiers in the human war against resistant superbugs.

Scientists have identified ant species that make powerful antimicrobial agents for their own protection.

Experts hope that they will provide a much-needed source of new antibiotics to replace those that are rapidly proving ineffective. Researcher Dr Adrian Smith, from North Carolina State University in the US, said: “One species we looked at, the thief ant (Solenopsis molesta), had the most powerful antibiotic effect of any species we tested.”