
Slice of life
Naked ants and their little cows
This is a short little article blurb, and photo, from beautiful days spent enjoying the summer of 2014, showcasing a Scandinavian Ant species caring for their little aphid milk cows.
Ants all over the world make sure their "cows" stay properly fed, warm and safe. Allowing the aphid cows to graze on nearby plants, and whenever a plant has been depleted of it´s nutrients the ants will then carry their cows to a new food source and If other, more predatory, insects attempt to harm the cows, the ants will defend them fiercely. Some of the ant species even go to such lengths as to seek the eggs of aphid predatory species, destroying the aphid enemies before they even hatch.
During winter some of the ant species tuck the aphids away, keeping them warm in the safety of the midst of their nests, attending even to the aphid´s temperature and humidity levels. And come spring (and during summer), the ants once again carry their cows to a bunch of new plants to feed. Creating one of natures most fascinating - and mutual - co living cross species relation that continues year after year.
yeah i know, the photo is not one of the greatest technical macro photos made, but i still like, very much, the feel and lightning, and the way the ants and their little milk cows mutual happy fest came out when me and my gf where enjoying this slice of life.
music of the day while you are reading our article
Awake too long by Rise Against
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But Ants have a ton of other equally fascinating traits. Making them one of Earths most intriguing and complex little species. Did you know for instance that the Linepithema humile, Argentine Ant species have over time evolved their nesting behavior to such an extent that they are now in possession of the worlds biggest ant society. One giant ant colony spanning multiple continents!. Scientists have discovered one giant Argentine ant colony that ties together America, Japan and Europe spanning a global distance over 6000 Km ( 3700 miles). I do not know about you, but there is just something mind blowing about ants and their complex, ever evolving life and society, not just how advanced it is, but also how it mirrors our own way of life in so many ways.
This short article was updated in October 2015.
Books to be published
Little snow white
Later during August we´ll be back with more articles and new books to be published and one of them will be the original "little snow white" tale by the brothers Grimm. So, stay tuned and enjoy your summer the best you can (or winter if you are on the other hemisphere :P).
Keen eyes might notice that we have removed one name this morning,from our public work. She is still contributing and participating just like before, to everything that we do, but due to her own privacy/private reasons we decided to remove her name from our public work. Not only is she the world's best co-worker, but she is also my best friend in life so her best in life, well-being and personal needs is always paramount to not only me, but this entire organization, and it will always be.
Writer and photography
Michael A Koontz
Author page, Michael A Koontz
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