The sample I decided to share today is a portion of an ant that my professor provided me during our in class activity. I was able to lay the ant as flatly and evenly spread as I could and then observed my sample. I was immediately excited by the visible hairs and segments on the leg of the ant as well as a small portion of its delicate wing (these were flying ants). I also see what appears to be a small barb on the top of the lower leg segment and this makes me wonder if this is a barb used for grip, digging, or possibly defense? I enjoyed looking at this live specimen more than any other of my previous samples, and am curious to look at different species under the microscope and see if I notice the similarities and small details that are apparent in similar species as well as the tiny and very many tiny segment that comprise most insects. With better lighting, I hope that my findings will only yield further curiosity!
