The Entomologist's Perfect Crime Chapter 12

The Maricopa harvester ant, as one of the world's most venomous insects, has a very timid natural enemy.

It's called the Texas horned lizard, a lizard living in the deserts and arid regions of North America.

Also called the "horned toad" or "horned lizard."

Gentle and timid in temperament.

Won't attack humans, non-venomous.

Its main defense strategy is camouflage, but if camouflage fails, it will choose to flee.

Only when cornered and feeling its life is seriously threatened will it adopt extreme defensive behavior.

That's when they spray blood from their eyes.

But this "ultimate move" isn't an attack behavior, just a warning and deterrent.

They're timid and meek, preferring peaceful times.

So most reptile hobbyists really like them.

But this gentle little creature is the natural enemy of one of the world's most venomous ants—the Maricopa harvester ant.

It specifically eats Maricopa harvester ants.

And the presence of the Texas horned lizard excites and agitates Maricopa harvester ants, causing them to continuously release pheromones.

The Texas horned lizard in the room and the scent on the neighbor's shoes would both excite and agitate the Maricopa harvester ants. They would follow the pheromone trail.

Once the Maricopa harvester ants made contact with the neighbor, they would immediately launch sustained, prolonged attacks.

Even without falling, he would be poisoned to death, and the process would be extremely painful.

After the neighbor died, the Texas horned lizard would gradually eat all the Maricopa harvester ants.

Ensuring these ants wouldn't harm innocent people.