In the Arizona desert, a startling evolution occurs within an ant population, leading to unusual and unexplained behavior that catches the attention of scientists and prompts further investigation. As the ants begin to display intelligent and coordinated efforts that far surpass what is typically expected of insect life, it becomes clear that these creatures are not just changing; they are advancing in unprecedented ways. The phenomena attract two researchers to the desert, a reserved but determined entomologist and his younger, more idealistic assistant, to delve deeper into the mystery. They set up a lab in a geodesic dome to closely observe and study these ants, aiming to understand the cause and implications of their sudden evolutionary leap.

As their research progresses, the scientists discover that the ants are not merely adapting to environmental changes but seem to be acting with purpose and strategic planning. The ants' behavior becomes increasingly aggressive and sophisticated, leading to a series of eerie and unexplainable events around the research facility. The pair's efforts to communicate with the ants, understand their behavior, and potentially halt their advance lead them into a tense and dangerous confrontation with the hive. Amidst this escalating conflict, the true nature of the ants' intelligence and their ability to collectively organize as a single entity becomes more apparent, posing a significant challenge to the researchers' scientific methodologies and their understanding of the natural world.