Wood ant...

[Paul Iddon]

I think this is a wood ant, here seen on the leaf of a Sea Holly plant.





http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant03.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant07.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant08.jpg



http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant02.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant05.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant06.jpg



http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant04.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant09.jpg


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn206/pauliddon001/1ant00.jpg



Enjoy.



Paul.

[Skippy]

I think this is a wood ant, here seen on the leaf of a Sea Holly plant.

Enjoy.

Paul.

I like the first and the last shots Paul.
Was this one a loaner? or were there others around.
Interesting how the eye has a purple tone to it :thumb .... Skippy :D
.

[Paul Iddon]

Maxine, I found 4 of them...

Last time these size ants appeared in numbers, there were 2 thousand of the buggers, winmged, crawking across the door under the stairs! Dunno where they came in from, but OMG my skin CRAWLED!!!

[Lord Vetinari]

Good captures Paul
Fairly certain this is (was ) a winged queen of the common black ant Lasius niger. The wings fall off after their maiden flight. I was taking pics of some yesterday so they are certainly flying now.
Brian V.

[Paul Iddon]

Cheers Brian, you have confirmed what I suspected.

I think I have spoiled some of the pics in PS, but I was trying to get some detail and DoF in what I found awkward circumstances. The ants don't like to keep still...

BTW, any idea what the little white bumps are around the mouth (seen best on the last one?)


Paul.

[Lord Vetinari]

Cheers Brian, you have confirmed what I suspected.

I think I have spoiled some of the pics in PS, but I was trying to get some detail and DoF in what I found awkward circumstances. The ants don't like to keep still...

BTW, any idea what the little white bumps are around the mouth (seen best on the last one?)


Paul.

Hmm didn't notice those- look suspiciously like mites

Brian V.

[Paul Iddon]

Thanks Brian. Small beggars them there mites...


Paul.