Hmm interesting concept which is similar to the old ntus.
I would have it along the lattice rather than radiation- that way territories can be cut off and starved of resources until the defence crumbles as spawns slow down.
Malorn these resources could be used for the old ant bombs
. Other than that I cant think of much.
Trouble is I like the current system as it has different flavour resources, even if it is currently inconsequential.