Science

Ants prioritize brain energy during starvation, echoing pattern seen in humans

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 28/10/2026, 13:10:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study suggests ants prioritize brain energy during starvation, mirroring human brain energy demands. The evidence indicates that ants' brains consume a disproportionate share of their body's energy relative to their size, similar to humans. This evolutionary pattern is linked to the development of complex social structures and advanced intelligence in both species.

Key points

• Ants consume approximately 20% of their body's energy to maintain brain function, despite the brain representing only about 2% of total body weight.
• This energy allocation pattern mirrors the human brain's high energy demand, which supports the evolution of complex social intelligence.

Context

Research indicates that ants' brains consume a disproportionate share of their body's energy relative to their size, similar to humans. This evolutionary pattern is linked to the development of complex social structures and advanced intelligence in both species.

Limitations

The study is a preprint from October 2026 and lacks peer review. Specific experimental conditions, sample sizes, and long-term behavioral data are not provided.

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