Ants are social insects found in various habitats, with over 20,000 species. They live in colonies and construct complex nests. Ants undergo complete metamorphosis and have queens, males, and workers. Workers perform various tasks, and ants communicate using chemical signals. Some insects form associations with ants, called myrmecophilous insects, adapting to avoid predation. Myrmecophilous insects can be obligate or facultative. Mutualistic relationships exist between ants and insects like aphids and lycaenid butterfly larvae. Ants also associate with other ant species, displaying cooperative or parasitic behaviours. Habitat destruction affects myrmecophilous species, like Maculinea arion. Studying these associations is valuable in entomology.