A new ant discovered in Western Kenya, species Carebara Lilith, has an enormous head. Most ant species have only two castes: reproductive and the worker ants. The workers of some ants are built for defense, a subcaste known as soldiers. Soldier ants are usually larger and more muscular than the workers. The Phragmotic ants have soldiers that are known as “door head” ants; soldiers whose heads are shaped like saucers, or concave shields, which they cover with camouflaging layers of debris. They use these peculiar features to block the entrances of their nests against intruders. The shape of their heads allows them to perfectly fit into the nest entrance. They also have armor that shields their eyes, antennae, and mouthparts. Their heads secretes slime that makes organic matter and dirt stick to the head as the ant.
