Our internet here in Kibale is hit-or-miss. But let me attempt to break through with a pair of adorable ants. Which one would you rather cuddle?
Entry #1:
Entry # 2:
Update from Africa: the cutest ant competition
Alex Wild on insects, science, and photography
-
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.
-
Recent Images
-
-
Bits and Pieces
LOL OMG! #2!!!!
#2!!!! Adorable!
One’s got those cute antennae, but two has bigger eyes. I’d have to pick two.
Number 2 of course. Look how velvety and soft!
Aawww! Pretty close, but I’m going for the fuzzy one.
While #1 has cuter antennae and a plumper abdomen, #2 wins for fuzziness, dual coloration and a larger eye.
These are what ant plush toys should look like.
Probably wide eyes in shot two.
The actual shapes of the antennae, the front tibiae and the gaster are slightly cuter in number one, but the velvety texture of number two is also very appealing. I think I might have to go for #2, while acknowledging that both are impropably cute.
#2 is so cute.
What species are they?
#2 is obviously a stuffed toy. Where can I buy one?
Ha! They are cute!
I can’t decide between them.
As much as I think Discos are cute, relative to the Tetramorium, this Disco is more threatening looking (tiny pin-prick eyes, propodeal denticles). The big eyes and shorter mesosoma of the Tetramorium are far less threatening.
Plus, the Tetramorium is scrobiculate!
#2
Number 2 by a hair!
Definately #2. so cute and fuzzy!
Well, I might be a bit biased since I work with Tetramorium but I also go for #2. It is certainly one of the cutest ants I’ve ever seen. In Kibale we had the great chance to see them alive foraging on tree trunks and even carrying termites as prey items.
By the way, as Barry Bolton pointed out on the Antwebblog, the name of the teddy-bear ant is Tetramorium pulcherrimum. The name tells us enough, I think.
Blants.
Your photographs are simply astounding. I recently showed some of your beautiful beetles to my Art Club group, aged 4-6 years old, as the inspiration for an observational drawing project. I hope you might take a look at their fantastic beetle drawings on my blog: http://hannahsartclub.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/beetle-detail-observational-drawing-autumn-2010/#
Thanks for the inspiration!
Ha! Those are great, thanks for sharing them!
I know your blog says I’m not allowed to post pictures from your site here, but could I share just one?
well, given that I’ve posted yours, I don’t see why not! Please could you link back to the project page: http://hannahsartclub.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/beetle-detail-observational-drawing-autumn-2010/
I’m so glad you like the kids’ work. I may come back another time for more inspiration… maybe it should be ants next time…?
All the best
… I can’t wait to see which one you post… I’ll have to let the child know they’re famous!
I think the roundness of the antenna and abdomen of #1 make it cuter.