#turtle ant

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT TURTLE ANTS???

Cephalotes is a genus of tree-dwelling ant species from the Americas, commonly known as turtle ants. All appear to be gliding ants, with the ability to "parachute" and steer their fall so as to land back on the tree trunk rather than fall to the ground, which is often flooded... (Wikipedia)

Ants with giant heads show evolution can go ‘backward’

Evolution isn’t always a one-way street toward increasing specialization, according to new research.

Occasionally, evolution can take a species back to a more generalist stage, the researchers report. Turtle ant soldiers scuttle around sporting shiny, adorably oversized heads. They use their heads to block the entrances of their nests—essentially acting as living doors. Not all heads are shaped alike: some soldiers have ones that resemble manhole covers and perfectly seal tunnel entrances. Others have square heads, which they assemble into multi-member blockades reminiscent of a Spartan army’s overlapping shields...

Read more: Ants with giant heads show evolution can go 'backward' - Futurity

Photographs by Scott Powell/George Washington U. & Andreas Kay/Flickr

Turtle Ants: Shielded from Danger

Among the branches and tropical wildlife, the assistant professor of biology has passed many summer hours watching a remarkable little creature distinguished by a dish-like head that acts as a shield against intruders—the turtle ant. The insect fascinates Powell not only because of the intimate connections between the ant’s unique physical features and its habitat, but also because of its interactions with other ant species Turtle ants have an elaborate caste system within their society, which includes workers, soldiers, and just one queen for each colony. They get their name from the workers’ peculiar appearance: Much like a turtle, they have an outer shell under which they can pull their antennae and legs when danger lurks nearby. Many can also flatten themselves against the ground or even slide beneath bark to hide from predators...

Read more: Turtle Ants: Shielded from Danger | Columbian College of Arts & Sciences | The George Washington University

They are a Blue Carpenter Bee and an Asian Turtle Ant :]

Instead of charging forth with passion and energy, The Knight of Galls moves at a steady and deliberate pace. He approaches life with methodical precision, prioritizing long-term goals over fleeting desires. At the same time, he encourages us to remain focused on our goals even when progress seems slow or obstacles stand in our way.

The northern Caribbean turtle ant is known for its specialized and unique anatomy. Despite lacking the conventional weaponry of stinging ants, they compensate with their extraordinary non-aggressive defensive strategy. Using their disk-shaped heads, they block the entrances to their tunnels, serving as a living door that shields the colony from threats. They are not flashy or aggressive in their approach, but rather rely on ingenuity. This symbolic act mirrors the Knight's commitment to protecting what is valuable and ensuring the safety of their domain.

This card encourages us to adopt a similar mindset in our own lives: approach our responsibilities with a willingness to put in the time and effort required to see them through to completion. While doing so, it warns against the pitfalls of stubbornness and rigidity. Hard work is admirable, but we are cautioned against becoming so fixated on our goals that we lose sight of the bigger picture.

Prints available on Redbubble and Inprnt

Hey lil turtle ant! How is the beauty contest going?

Yes, you! You are one of the most lovely ants!

That's not true! You have such a lovely shield-shaped head.

So you aren't worried about if you win or not? You even have fans cheering you on! (@polarized-here)

🐜 Ants 🐜