We don't know much about these odd-looking Zasphinctus ants, except they seem to raid other ant nests, steal their larvae and eat them... Their narrow elongated bodies probably help them enter small galleries.

#ants #myrmecology non #armyants #fourmis #science

Finally found a nest of Polyrhachis semiaurata, definitely one of the most beautiful ant species. It's really hard to take good photos of them because of their iridescence and general body shape.

#ants #fourmis #myrmecology #entomology

A Velvet Worm. They can spit adhesive slime to capture a prey. Velvet worms have short, stubby legs called lobopods, that don't have joints. They have a really complex muscular system that allows them to move, partly by changing the pressure of the fluids inside their limbs.

Pony ants often have amazing metallic colours to help other animals like me remember how painful their sting is. It works just fine. This is Rhytidoponera confusa.

#ants #fourmis #myrmecology #nature #wildlife

The intricate cuticle of a Botany Bay Diamond Weevil is a complex blend of trying to be seen by other weevils, trying not to be seen by weevil-eaters, and preventing parasitic mites from attaching.

#weevils #entomology #nature #bugs #macro

Epopostruma wardi, one of my favorite ant species because of the unusual triangular shape of their head.

We don't know too much yet about their biology.

#ants #fourmis #myrmecology #insects #bugs #nature #macro

Mayriella overbecki is one of the smallest ant species living in Australia (~2mm). They have large grooves on their heads, called antennal scrobes, to protect their antennae when in danger.

#ants #macro #macrophotography #myrmecology #insects

More pics !

This Endoxyla encalypti moth got attracted and "trapped" by the lights of a train station. Light pollution is still a big issue.

Took close-ups of the scales on the wings and moved the moth to a darker place.

#moth #lepidoptera #macro #macrophotography #science #nature #entomology #insects #bugs

Probably the largest caterpillar I have found so far (Chelepteryx collesi or batwing moth), perfect for close-ups of the prolegs and their claws, and the spiracles that open up to the tracheal system of insects.

#macro #nature #science #macrophotography #lepidoptera #entomology #insects #bugs

There are many non-honeybee insects that pollinate flowers, but not a lot of images showing it clearly. I got lucky to accidentally catch this beetle literally depositing pollen on a flower's pistil.

#pollination #insects #bugs #photography #science #pollen

A #honeybee from one of my research hives, which are currently packed with hive sensors to help me understand how temperature and humidity correlate with colony health.

#bee #beekeeping #entomology #science #apiculture #macro #photography

Anyone able to confirm Colobostruma elliotti for these minuscule #ants I found today south of Sydney, #Australia?

There are barely any photos of this group, they are so small and hard to photograph.

#myrmecology #entomology #antsofaustralia #ant #macro #macrophotography

The males usually roost on plants at night. They grab a twig with their mandibles which are shut when at rest and sleep like this. That is the case for example of blue banded bees like on the photo below.

Time for an introduction?

I am a honeybee researcher, interested in how colonies maintain nest homeostasis and in improving bee health. I have a background in ecology & entomology and have worked on invasive ants before switching to bees.

In my spare time, I take bug pics, these are my bees:

Polyrhachis femorata #ants from Australia. They may not be the most colourful, but the fine sculpture of their cuticle is amazing.

#myrmecology #macro #entomology #insects