Answer :
it was formic acid...... HCOOH ants have formic acid in their body and even in their excreta
Formic acid was first prepared from distilled red ants.
Explanation:
Formic acid is prepared by Samuel Fisher. Formic acid is discovered in mostly red ants and some bees the genus is Oxytrigona. These group of wood ants may spray formic acid on their nest to protect their place. It can also be discovered in stinging nettle which is a flowering plant.
Formic acid is also produced in the Laboratory. In the presence of strong base carbon monoxide and methanol combines to form formic acid. The reaction is as follows.
[tex]\mathrm{CO}+\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH} \rightarrow \mathrm{HCO}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{3}[/tex]