Myrmecology: the Study of Ants

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Winkler extraction bags hang in Kibale forest, Uganda. Each contains several mesh sacks filled with leaf litter sifted from the forest. Arthropods walking about in the litter fall out and collect in plastic bags full of ethanol. This method has proven highly productive for sampling the cryptic rainforest micro-fauna, resulting in hundreds of new species.
Winkler extraction bags hang in Kibale forest, Uganda. Each contains several mesh sacks filled with leaf litter sifted from the forest. Arthropods walking about in the litter fall out and collect in plastic bags full of ethanol. This method has proven highly productive for sampling the cryptic rainforest micro-fauna, resulting in hundreds of new species.
An ethanol pack collects insects as they fall from a winkler leaf litter sample. Kibale forest, Uganda
In a laboratory colony, a Cephalotes rohweri turtle ant soldier demonstrates how she uses her massive head to block the nest entrance. She is essentially a living door, and will not admit any ants other then her own nestmate. The second ant here is a Crematogaster acrobat ant, perhaps the turtle ants' biggest competitors for living space. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Specimens of Atta leafcutter queens stored in ethanol with samples of their fungus. University of Texas
A laboratory nest of the Arizona Turtle Ant, Cephalotes rohweri. As ants cannot see red, the cellophane allows researchers to observe the ants while maintaining an illusion of darkness. Lab colony at the University of Arizona
Camponotus nigriceps - sugar ant. This image is a focused-stacked composite of 110 exposures taken at different focal depths. Victoria, Australia
A laboratory nest of the Arizona Turtle Ant, Cephalotes rohweri. As ants cannot see red, the cellophane allows researchers to observe the ants while maintaining an illusion of darkness. Lab colony at the University of Arizona
A Malaise trap collects insects in an African rainforest. When insects hit the central netting, they fly upwards towards the light and get caught in the sample jar at the top. As not all species are attracted to lights, Malaise traps have been an important general method for sampling winged ants. Kibale forest, Uganda
An ethanol pack collects insects as they fall from a winkler leaf litter sample.

Kibale forest, Uganda
An ethanol pack collects insects as they fall from a winkler leaf litter sample. Kibale forest, Uganda
An ethanol pack collects insects as they fall from a winkler leaf litter sample.

Kibale forest, Uganda
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013