How weaver ants get a grip

Strong sticking power and quick reaction time help the insects stay put in trees

An Asian weaver ant boasts not one but two superpowers: Its extreme sticking power comes with extraordinarily quick emergency grip protection, researchers have discovered.

LAUGHING AT GRAVITY An Asian weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) can dangle a weight more than 100 times heavier than itself without losing its grip on the surface above it.