Alex Wild on insects, science, and photography
Eciton burchellii, soldier
A reminder that Army Ant Week starts this Sunday here at Myrmecos. We’ll be bringing you shiny new photographs & videos from the field, coverage of army ant research, and a debunking of some of the sensationalist crap that passes for television documentaries. Be sure to visit!
A personal blog by Illinois-based biologist and photographer Alex Wild.
Myrmecos- derived from the ancient greek word for "ant"- hosts Alex's musings about these and other little creatures that share our planet.
Questions? Email alwild [at] myrmecos.net; or follow @Myrmecos on Twitter.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Entomoblog and Tom Houslay, Alex Wild. Alex Wild said: Army Ant Week is Imminent! http://j.mp/dWNGfE [...]
Welcome back!
Can’t wait to see the army ants (and the debunking!)
Thanks Roberta!
I can’t wait. Just posted to this Facebook. I have some army ants in my study sites. I collected a beautiful major of Labidus coecus last Spring.
Do you have any stories or photos you might want to share with us as part of Army Ant Week, Ann? We’re accepting contributions.
This isn’t really related to this post, but is there a legal AND easy way to take a collection of pinned/alcohol specimens across the border (e.g. from Costa Rica to the U.S.)? I’m plan on participating in an REU this coming summer and I’m sure I will find many ants and other insects that I would like to have in my collection!
No, sadly.
Getting preserved specimens into the U.S. isn’t a problem as the U.S. govt doesn’t care. It’s getting them out of Costa Rica that’s the problem. If you’ve got a serious research program (e.g., an NSF funded project) to collect, and you can deposit some vouchers in Costa Rica, and you have time to visit all the relevant offices, you may be able to obtain permits to do it legally.
Chris Grinter has a handy summary of the permit process of many countries, including Costa Rica, here:
http://skepticalmoth.southernfriedscience.com/techniques/collecting-permits/
Thanks for the link! I’ll certainly return to it as I near my departure.
Run, army ants are here!