Learn about a type of parasitic beetle that mimics ants, in this video from NOVA’s Gross Science series. Ants communicate using chemical signals called pheromones and specialized chirping sounds. However, one species of a parasitic beetle has learned how to blend into an ant colony by using chemicals to disguise its smell and by mimicking the ants’ language. This is an example of aggressive mimicry, where a predator or parasite resembles a more harmless organism to avoid detection from prey. This resource is part of the NOVA: Gross Science Collection.