Desert ants, killer nurse on Solar News Channel

MANILA, Philippines - A deeper inspection into the inner workings of the fledgling ant colony reveals that the tiny society is one that operates in a startlingly human way.

Deep within the confines of the Arizona desert lies a minuscule and seemingly primitive society that at first glance appears to be completely foreign to our own. They make their home in a small burrow that extends meters deep into the soil. They creep continuously across the burning sands in search of food and resources. While seemingly mindless, the tiny group is obsessed collectively with one thing and one thing only, in a way that few humans are ever obsessed about anything: Survival.

The society is a colony of honey ants, and it is the focus of BBC’s Natural World: Empire of the Desert Ants. In the blistering heat of the desert, however, survival is no easy task. To even stand a chance of survival will take the concerted effort of the entire colony.

A deeper inspection into the inner workings of the fledgling ant colony reveals that the tiny society is one that operates in a startlingly human way. Much like any society, at the head and heart of the group, is its ruler. For the colony in the middle of the Arizona desert, the queen is that ruler. The honey ant queen is, like her subordinates, concerned solely with the survival of her colony, and nothing else, and she will do anything within her means to ensure its survival.

These means are not simply limited to the stereotypical mindless gatherer view that is often held regarding ants. To ensure her and her colony’s survival, the honey ant queen operates in a fashion that is not far removed from the way traditional human monarchs have long ruled their empires. The queen is the head of a complex network that sends signals via pheromones to communicate and to create distinguished roles for each of the ants in the colony, which number in the thousands. Some ants serve as the warriors and gatherers of the colony. Some exist solely to store valuable food for when the colony undergoes food shortages during frigid winters. Some are there simply to care for the queen and to fulfill her every desire. The most distinguished role of all, however, belongs to the queen herself. The honey ant queen ruthlessly and efficiently rules her kingdom, eager to dominate, slaughter and cannibalize thousands in the name of survival.

Catch Natural World: Empire of the Desert Ants tonight at 8 with marathon replay on April 27, 7 p.m. on Solar News Channel.

60 Minutes has been on the air for 45 years and it is the first time for the show to interview a serial killer. Charles Cullen (also known as Angel of Death) is the nurse who confessed to as many as 40 murders of patients over his 16-year nursing career. Many believe that he killed more than the declared number. He was interviewed by Steve Kroft at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton where he serves 17 life sentences. Cullen admits to these murders and confesses of trying to kill himself.

60 Minutes airs Wednesday nights at 8 with replays Sundays at 10 p.m.