Pronunciation: [nˌɛkɹəfɔːɹˈiːsɪs] (IPA) 
The word "necrophoresis" is spelled with the letters N-E-C-R-O-P-H-O-R-E-S-I-S. It can be pronounced as /nɛˌkrɒfəˈriːsɪs/ or "neh-kroh-for-ee-sis". The first syllable is a short "eh" sound, followed by "kroh" which rhymes with "go". The "pho" sounds like "foe" and the "resis" has a short "i" sound. The word refers to the process in which certain insects, such as ants and beetles, carry dead organisms away from their nests.
Necrophoresis is a term used to describe a specific behavior commonly observed in social insects, particularly ants. It refers to the act of carrying dead colony members away from the nest or communal areas, and subsequently disposing of them. The word "necrophoresis" is derived from the combination of two Greek words - "nekros" meaning dead, and "pherein" meaning to carry or bring.
During necrophoresis, worker ants detect and identify dead individuals within their colony, usually through chemical signals released by the deceased. Once a dead ant is detected, a group of workers will gather around the cadaver and begin to carry it away, sometimes over considerable distances, to a designated disposal area typically located away from the nesting site.
The purpose of necrophoresis is multi-fold within ant colonies. Firstly, it aids in maintaining overall hygiene and cleanliness within the nest, avoiding the spread of diseases or potential contamination. Secondly, removing dead individuals helps to minimize potential attractants for scavenging pests or predators that may pose a threat to the colony. Additionally, the removal of dead ants may serve to recycle nutrients from the deceased back into the ecosystem, ensuring resource efficiency.
Necrophoresis plays a vital role in the intricate social organization observed in ant colonies, contributing to the overall health and survival of these complex insect societies.
The word "necrophoresis" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "nekros" meaning "dead" and "pherein" meaning "to carry". Therefore, "necrophoresis" literally translates to "to carry the dead". The term is often used in the context of ants, referring to the behavior of transporting dead nestmates away from their colony.
