Origin of ants: evolution from wasps and their organization
The first ants emerged about 140 million years ago, during the Cretaceous Period. Their ancestors were solitary wasps. Over time, some of these wasps evolved to live in colonies, developing complex social behaviors that eventually gave rise to ants.
Origin of Ants and Bees... Wasps?
Both ants and bees belong to the order Hymenoptera, meaning they share a common ancestor with wasps. Although they have different evolutionary trajectories, they share interesting parallels in their social structure and cooperative behavior:
Wasps
Wasps can be solitary or social. Solitary wasps form colonies with a queen and worker wasps. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, while the workers (non-reproductive females) perform tasks such as caring for larvae, building the nest, and foraging. Although this organization is very similar to that of ants and bees, wasp nests are stationary: they generally have a lifespan of one year; during the fall, fertilized queens hibernate, and old colonies die. New colonies are founded the following spring when the queens emerge from hibernation.
Most wasps build their nests from wood or plant fibers. However, some species, such as yellowjackets, build their nests directly in the ground.
Bees
Honey bee hives are made up of the queen bee, worker bees (non-reproductive females), and drones (males). They have a very similar organization to wasps: division of labor, castes, and communication through pheromones. However, bees build their hives from wax (which they make) and also communicate through "dances" to indicate the location of food sources.
Ants
Like wasps and bees, ants are also organized into castes: they have a queen, worker ants, and soldiers. Unlike wasps, which build their colony for only one year, ants' social structure is permanent. Ants build their nests in the ground and form complex structures with tunnels and chambers.
Anthill organization (Atta mexicana: leaf foragers)
Ants adapted to an underground life, developing specialized bodies for digging and living in tunnels. The anthill is composed of: 
Anthill organization: leaf-gathering ants
1. Tickets
They have one or more entrances connected to the surface, leading to main tunnels.
2. Main tunnels
Wide and well-defined, connecting the entrances to the different chambers of the anthill.
3. Mushroom growth chambers
Several large chambers are distributed throughout the nest. They are interconnected and contain the fungus the ants cultivate.
4. Leaf storage chambers
Chambers located near the main entrances and tunnels, where freshly collected leaves are temporarily stored.
5. Garbage chamber
Located in the areas furthest from the center of the anthill to avoid contamination.
6. Queen's Chamber
A central, protected chamber where the queen resides and lays eggs.
7. Breeding chamber
Chambers where larvae and pupae are cared for, located near the queen chamber but separate from the mushroom growing area.
8. Rest and shelter chambers
Interspersed throughout the anthill where the workers rest.
9. Secondary passages and tunnels
Smaller tunnels that interconnect all the chambers, allowing the ants to move around the nest.
Evolution and diversification in social organization
The evolution of ants from solitary wasps illustrates how complex social organizations can arise and diversify in different species. Wasps, bees, and ants share a common ancestor, and although their evolutionary trajectories differ, they all exhibit remarkable division of labor and social cooperation. Wasps build annual colonies and fiber nests, bees create wax hives and communicate with dances, while ants establish permanent underground structures with specialized tunnels and chambers. This convergence in social behavior highlights the efficiency and success of cooperation in nature.