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Iberianature Forum  |  Insects and creepy crawlies  |  Insects and creepy-crawlies  |  Topic: Ants 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
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Author Topic: Ants  (Read 2910 times)
Sue
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« on: April 08, 2007, 18:43 PM »
Hi All,

two ants caught my eye today on a windfall orange in the garden. At first I thought they were fighting and then realized the contact was very gentle. I watched them for perhaps a minute, circling and stroking. It seemed to be a case of “if you scratch my back i’ll scratch yours” but in this case it was their antennae / feelers.

Does anyone know about ants and mainly what this behavior was all about?

Regards, Sue

* antsgrooming1.jpg (40.29 KB, 500x475 - viewed 274 times.)

* antsgrooming2.jpg (48.55 KB, 500x600 - viewed 242 times.)

* antsgrooming3.jpg (35.38 KB, 500x501 - viewed 280 times.)
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Roxanne
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« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2007, 21:53 PM »
Hullo Sue

I have read that when ants tap each others antennae they are asking to exchange food. Or maybe he was trying to find out if it was an ant from his own colony, but I think they do that by smell. On the waste near the boat there are lots of ants nests and there is one biggish one which I watch come in and out of their hole with food.

Roxanne
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Technopat
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« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2007, 22:55 PM »
Greetings Sue and All,
Great pics!
The first two clearly show one of the ants with t'other's feelers between its gnashers, but I'll take your word for it that they were not fighting! But seriously, have seen it often and I agree with Roxanne about them giving each other info. about food - maybe they've got taste buds and/or he was scraping off pollen, etc.

Look forward to more info. on ants' 'abits an' antics.

Regs.
Technopat
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Technopat's disclaimer: If this posting seems over the top and/or gets your goat (Sp. anyone?), please accept my apologies and don't take it personally - it's just my instinctive tendency to put my foot in it whenever/wherever possible. See also:
http://www.iberianatureforum.com/index.php/topic,266
Sue
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« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2007, 08:49 AM »
Hi Roxanne + Technopat,

Thankyou for the info. We have a tremendous number of ants around us of various colours and sizes. These two stood out because they were large and on the great backdrop of the orange!

Regards, Sue
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nick
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« Reply #4 on: April 12, 2007, 21:50 PM »
Remarkable photos Sue
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Nick
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Technopat
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« Reply #5 on: April 12, 2007, 22:01 PM »
Greetings Sue,
Had forgotten 'bout the windfall orange - aren't ants supposed to be extraordinarily sweet-toothed? They were probably remarking on the excellent vintage. Is the orange still where you left it or have they managed to roll into their nest?
Regs.
Technopat
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Technopat's disclaimer: If this posting seems over the top and/or gets your goat (Sp. anyone?), please accept my apologies and don't take it personally - it's just my instinctive tendency to put my foot in it whenever/wherever possible. See also:
http://www.iberianatureforum.com/index.php/topic,266
nick
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« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2007, 16:22 PM »
Slightly askew but still on the ants theme, I've just come across this video of woodpeckers anting

http://www.iberianature.com/material/spanishinvertebrates.html
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Nick
http://www.iberianature.com/
A guide to the environment, climate, wildlife, & nature of Spain
The Amazon/Forum Bookshop - lend us a hand
http://www.iberianatureforum.com/shop/index.htm
And also now The Natural History of Britain
http://iberianature.com/britainnature/
floating_fish
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« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2007, 21:22 PM »
hey guys new to photography and have some awesome shots with my cannon 350d
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Sue
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« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2007, 21:35 PM »
Hi floating fish 

Welcome to the forum!

Lovely photos of some very active and well polished ants.
That one seed looks to be pretty heavy!

Regards, Sue
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Find a natural adventure holiday by searching Wildside Holidays
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The Clickable nature map of Iberia
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Thinking of visiting the beautiful Sierra de Grazalema in Andalucia?
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Technopat
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« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2007, 21:40 PM »
Jeez floating_fish!
Welcome to the forum!
If you're new to photgraphy, tell me where I can get a camera like that!!!
Great pics.!
Regs.
Technopat
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Technopat's disclaimer: If this posting seems over the top and/or gets your goat (Sp. anyone?), please accept my apologies and don't take it personally - it's just my instinctive tendency to put my foot in it whenever/wherever possible. See also:
http://www.iberianatureforum.com/index.php/topic,266
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