Some NYC Ants Crave More For Junk Foods, Says a New Study

Some ants crawling around New York City have developed a taste for junk food, according to a new study.

The study analyzed samples from more than 20 ant species in Manhattan and looked at levels of a type of carbon typically found in processed foods that humans eat. It found that ants that lived on the sidewalk and other paved areas in the Big Apple tended to have carbon isotope levels more similar to humans, while ants living in parks had lower levels.

"The ants that live alongside us in our cities also seem to be those same species that can eat the same food that we do, and do so the most," said Clint Penick, a post-doctoral fellow at North Carolina State University and lead researcher of the study

"Humans bring a ton of general resources," he said. "The species that can take advantage of these resources the best, sort of wins."

Going forward, researchers will investigate into whether certain ants prefer a diet of human food even if there is no shortage of natural food sources.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.