#bugsofinsta

Does this ant act insane or is it just its name? The first sentence of an article (Snelling 1995) summing up the identification problems with Dorymyrmex insanus states "No North American ant has been cursed with such a singularly unfortunate taxonomic history as that described by Buckley (1866)...". The original description doesnt say which specimens (holotypes and paratypes) were used and was quite vague. As a result, the species name has changed numerous times, giving myrmecologists a huge headache. It just goes to show that specimens are important! . . . #Dorymyrmex #Dorymyrmexinsanus #FormicidaeFriday #taxonomy #sciencefriday #ants #insects #bugs #bugsofinsta #myrmecology #entomology #museumlife #buglife #naturalhistory #itsallgoodep #instaeptx #elpaso411 #macrophotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Bys8TJ2B35e/?igshid=1s60nfr5jqy3p

Although an ordinary looking and behaving ant, Manica rubida is not as harmless as they look. Swiss myrmecologist Auguste-Henri Forel said "tout le monde craint la pique des fourmis (Everyone fears the bite of these ants)" but also noted that the species wasn't aggressive unless provoked. . . . #formicidaefridays #Manica #rubida #ants #bugsofinsta #myrmecology #entomology #museumlife #naturalhistory #itsallgoodep #instaeptx #formicidae https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv40QZxBDl_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16aw70o3nuqjw

What a queen of thieves! Solenopsis carolinensis is a species of thief ants. They nest close to other nests and when you least expect it, steal food and larvae and run away! . . . #formicidaefridays #ants #bugsofinsta #formicidae #Solenopsis #fireants #carolinensis #myrmecology #entomology #itsallgoodep #instaeptx #elpaso411 https://www.instagram.com/p/BufQOyxBGc8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ckdymb23nohl

Not only do these ants have unique looking fish hook jaws, their behavior is fascinating too. Instead of digging into the ground like most ants you know, colonies of Eciton army ants make nests (bivouacs) out of their own bodies for their queen! To make the nest, workers use their fish hook jaws to hook onto each other, making tunnels and walls. After a few weeks, the colony begins to moves every night along with their new larvae. When the larvae begin to pupate, the colony stops and starts to form again. . . . ___ Special thanks to graduate student, Chris Wilson #formicidaefriday #Eciton #ants #bugsofinsta #insects #entomology #myrmecology #naturalhistory #behavior #reproduction #museumlife #specimen #itsallgoodep #instaeptx #elpaso411 #nicaragua #fishhookants #armyants https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsJdTKhDmH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g6ehx84zmb4f

Not only do these ants have unique looking fish hook jaws, their behavior is fascinating too. Instead of digging into the ground like most ants you know, colonies of Eciton army ants make nests (bivouacs) out of their own bodies for their queen! To make the nest, workers use their fish hook jaws to hook onto each other, making tunnels and walls. After a few weeks, the colony begins to moves every night along with their new larvae. When the larvae begin to pupate, the colony stops and starts to form again. . . . ___ Special thanks to graduate student, Chris Wilson #formicidaefriday #Eciton #ants #bugsofinsta #insects #entomology #myrmecology #naturalhistory #behavior #reproduction #museumlife #specimen #itsallgoodep #instaeptx #elpaso411 #nicaragua #fishhookants #armyants https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsJdTKhDmH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o3oob982g2vg