Ants on Foeniculum flower buds

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:20 am

Is it Messor? Who is an expert for ants? Gordon?

Here is link of my tiny wasp so you can compare how tiny she really was. You can use flower bud to compare sizes of ants and wasp.

Camera model Olympus SP-320
Date/time 20.08.2006/10:23:21
Exposure time 1/320 s
F-number f/2.8
ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

Camera model Olympus SP-320
Date/time 20.08.2006/10:23:51
Exposure time 1/500 s
F-number f/2.8
ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:22 pm

Very nice ant shots Nikola. You got the focus right where it belongs. Rik Littlefield got me into using my ruler more often. If I cant`t get a shot with the ruler, I just measure the subject and and write it down on a piece of paper and put the scale in the picture afterwards

It almost looks like there are three different size ants in the first picture

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:04 am

Nice shots. No they are not Messor but I am not sure just what they are. They belong to a different subfamily though that much I can tell you. They have a rather Camponotus look though, Do you have a good side view of any of them?

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 2:53 am

You are right Doug. It's not matter of angle, perspective or subject distance. The middle one was significantly smaller.
Thanks Gordon. Will search within my archives. I have not much ants photographs because they are beyond my macro equipment capabilities.

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:32 am

I totally understand about the macro limits I am in the same boat. After looking at the shape of the "thorax' I am on the fence as to the Ident. It may belong to the family Dolichoderinae. either way though good stuff.

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:46 pm

Really nice shots Nikola, I like the soft focus fall of on the flowers, looks much better than if it was all in focus.

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 12:43 pm

Gordon C. Snelling wrote:... Do you have a good side view of any of them?

I found this side view but it's a little bit fuzzy.

Too long exposure time, maybe.

Camera model Olympus SP-320
Date/time 23.06.2006/10:00:47
Exposure time 1/80 s
F-number f/5.6
ISO 64
Focal length 8 mm

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:31 pm

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this post. The new image actually looks like something belonging to a totally different subfamily and appears to be a Messor. Ahh the joy of photographing insects.

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 4:06 am

I've assumed it's not from the same family although they all appear very alike to me.