UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 15 February 2026

Army Ant Species Latest News

Researchers from Karnataka and Odisha have discovered two new species of army ants namely Aenictus chittoorensis and Aenictus lankamallensis in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

About Army Ant Species

Army ants are defined as a nomadic species of ants that lack a permanent nest.
They belong to one of the subfamilies of ants called the Dorylinae.
Habitat: Army ants are highly aggressive predators found mainly in tropical ecosystems.

Characteristics of Army Ant Species

They do not build permanent nests.
They form temporary living structures known as ‘bivouacs’, made entirely from the bodies of worker ants.
They are social insects, form massive colonies that conduct coordinated raids, consuming insects and small animals in their path.
They are distinguished by their large, sharp mandibles, stinging ability and heavy reliance on chemical pheromones to navigate and communicate.
These ants are practically blind and rely on a pheromonal system with which they mark their paths and by which they follow paths taken by others.
They have a single queen ant who lays all the eggs and female workers that tend the young and collect food for the colony.
Ecological Role: As keystone predators they play a critical role in regulating arthropod populations and shaping forest biodiversity by consuming large quantities of invertebrates on a daily basis.

Source: DH

Army Ant Species FAQs

Q1: What is unique about Army Ant colonies?

Ans: They form massive colonies with coordinated raids

Q2: How do Army Ants primarily communicate?

Ans: Through pheromones

Chincha Kingdom Latest News

New archaeological evidence reveals that seabird guano – nutrient-rich bird droppings - may have been a major factor in the rise of Peru’s precolonial Chincha Kingdom.

About Chincha Kingdom

The 'Chincha Kingdom,' which was established in the coastal region of modern-day Peru, was a powerful ancient state that flourished before the rise of the Inca Empire.
It ruled the Chincha Valley, about 130 miles south of Lima (capital of Peru).
The Chincha Kingdom and its culture were very strong between 900 CE and 1450 CE. This time is known as the Late Intermediate Period in pre-Columbian Peru.
It was a large-scale society comprising an estimated 100,000 people.
It was organised into specialist communities such as fisherfolk, farmers, and merchants.
The Chinchas did not build enormous cities but left important marks in their religious and administrative constructions.
Their temples, palaces, and fortresses were built mainly with adobe, a technique they mastered skillfully.
They applied stucco to decorate walls, shaping figures of fish heads, gannets, and seabirds.
The dwellings of most of their inhabitants were built around these enclosures, made with mats and reeds.
An important old ruin linked to the Chincha is La Centinela, found near the city of Chincha Alta.
Decline:
- Conquered by the Inca Empire around 1476 CE.
- Later affected by Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
  The population drastically declined due to diseases and colonization.
A new analysis suggests that the secret to the Chincha Kingdom's prosperity was seabird droppings (guano).
- The analysis indicates that the nutrient-rich droppings, high in nitrogen, acted as a fertilizer, increasing corn yields and significantly contributing to the economic development of the time.

Source: EA

Chincha Kingdom FAQs

Q1: Where was the Chincha Kingdom established?

Ans: It was established in the coastal region of modern-day Peru.

Q2: During which period did the Chincha Kingdom flourish?

Ans: It flourished between 900 CE and 1450 CE.

Q3: How was Chincha society organized?

Ans: It was organized into specialist communities such as fisherfolk, farmers, and merchants.

Q4: What is an important archaeological ruin linked to the Chincha Kingdom?

Ans: La Centinela is an important ruin linked to the Chincha Kingdom.

Q5: Why did the population of the Chincha Kingdom drastically decline?

Ans: The population declined due to diseases and colonization.