AP Photography | Army of Insects

A.P. Photography

Ants, Lives, and Diversity

The 1st half of my investigation studies ants, so look forward to various different species highlighted along the way. You'll see species ranging from Colorado, to Utah, California, and Texas.

Importance of Ants

The Problem, The Perception, The Reality

How do humans impact ants? What ways do we percieve them? can we change this? The 2nd half of the investigation focuses on these questions

COMING SOON

AP Photo Project Summary

The Diversity And Importance of ants

Species featured In this photo: Pogonomyrmex rugosus

Part 1:

Are ants Important?

To see the full description of the images, click on them, only a partial description is offered below the image.

Morphologically Distinct

The complexity of ants is far too commonly ignored. Even the shape and texture of one worker, like this Pogonomyrmex rugosus can be beautiful.

Nest Entrance

The nest entrance of Lasius colony bustles with activity during a nuptial flight, an event where males and queens fly to mate.

Avid Hunters

Many species, like Leptogenys elongata, are crucial to supporting forests by hunting arthropods that are otherwise overlooked.

Complex Development

Ants go through 4 stages of development. During each one, they change drastically. Featured Here is Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Western Harvester ant).

Architecture at Home

These Cyphomyrmex ants build complex chambers to farm yeast. The structures created by ants help environments to cycle soil and decompose logs.

Cryptic Species

Cryptic ants like this Trachymyrmex septrionalis worker are often overlooked, they all play invaluable roles to keep forests and soil alive.

Ants and Agriculture

Ants created farming millions of years before humans. Many Lasius ants tend to aphids and milk them like cows, this is what is happening here.