From the article: > Ant queens may minimise their risk of contracting infections via cannibalism by swallowing their acidic, antimicrobial venom, to create a g

From the article: > Ant queens may minimise their risk of contracting infections via cannibalism by swallowing their acidic, antimicrobial venom, to create a gut environment that neutralises pathogens, as reported in workers [6]. Indeed, we anecdotally observed queens grooming the abdominal venom gland opening.