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  2. Ant Metamorphosis

Ant Metamorphosis

By awild on August 4, 2009.

Here's an image for the textbooks:

gracilis2Ants, like butterflies, pass through egg, larva, and pupa phases on their way to adulthood. While in Florida earlier in this summer I found a nest of the twig ant Pseudomyrmex gracilis with brood present in all stages, providing the material to make these images.

The key was placing the developing ants on a glass slide.  This provided distance between them and the cardboard background, so that the backdrop is blurred while the insects remain in sharp focus.  These images are not what I'd call fine art, but I'm happy with them as solid illustrations of ant biology.

gracilis3

photo details (both photos): Canon mp-e 65mm 1-5x macro lens on a Canon EOS 50D

ISO 100, f/11, 1/160 sec, twin flash diffused through tracing paper

Tags
ants
Nature
Science
biology
development
metamorphosis
pseudomyrmex

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For some reason, my first response to this is it makes me think that someone needs to write an introductory (i.e., children's) book on ants with modern concepts and illustrated with modern fine photography. This could be a great inclusion in such.

By James C. Trager (not verified) on 04 Aug 2009 #permalink

I'd hang it on my wall.

James- If you want to write one, I'll supply the images!

The only thing it lacks is a queen laying eggs. :) Also mating ants. :)

You should make some photos of the XXX action of the ant world. :)

By liudvikas (not verified) on 05 Aug 2009 #permalink

So I am not the only person who takes pictures of ants then? Heya man thanks for posting this. Great pics. I would love to see more, and to learn more on the topic.

I'd like to see some information on the biology of this species.

that's wonderful work and many thanks for sharing........this is first time i am seeing different stages of ant life cycle.......all famous text books usually carry drosophila or butterfly images ..................is it possible to have a higher resolution of these images???

Thanks

i do not see the stages in which ants grow written down

I am still a college student majoring in Entomology. This is really awesome! Love your pictures and specific knowledge related to this microworld.