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Viewing Ants under a Microscope


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#1 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted March 3 2020 - 5:09 PM

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So a while ago, I was fiddling around with some clay and stuff to make microscope slides so I could view larger samples under my microscope (microbiology is another hobby of mine). Anyway, over the winter, I discovered that I could use this technique to view ants as well, and it works pretty well for me, so I decided to share it.

 

What you need:

Modeling clay (it doesn't have to be the pro kind; even Play-Doh would work, i guess)

1 Microscope slide (Empty, or blank, whichever refers to a slide that isn't being used for samples)

1 Cover Slip

 

What to do:

1. Lay out the microscope slide.

2.  Take some modeling clay and make 4 "walls", each only a few mm high and as wide as the microscope slide. Arrange the "walls" in a square in the middle of the slide.

3. Place the coverslip on the clay square. There should be an empty space in the middle created by the  slide, clay, and cover.

 

Congratz! You've made a ant microscope viewing thingy. To get the ant inside, I recommend chilling it (just to slow it down, not to kill it) and then dump it in. You may also want to chill the ant whenever you view it under the scope, because it's hard to track moving things under the microscope, especially at high magnifications. And, of course, when you're done with the ant, release it if need be. As far as I know, none of this actually harms the ant, though I think this should be done only with workers.


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#2 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted March 3 2020 - 5:31 PM

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Any feedback?



#3 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 3 2020 - 5:35 PM

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This would probably be a good question for Ziess and gcsnelling, so my answer is to contact them (y) 


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike


#4 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted March 3 2020 - 6:00 PM

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Wow this sounds cool. I don't have a microscope beyond a freebie cellphone attachment thing. Could you post pics?


Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#5 Offline Da_NewAntOnTheBlock - Posted March 3 2020 - 6:01 PM

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that would be amazing


There is a important time for everything, important place for everyone, an important person for everybody, and an important ant for each and every ant keeper and myrmecologist alike


#6 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted March 3 2020 - 6:06 PM

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I can post some diagrams... sometime tomorrow


Edited by TheMicroPlanet, March 3 2020 - 6:06 PM.


#7 Offline OhNoNotAgain - Posted March 3 2020 - 8:11 PM

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Would also love to see pics through a microscope. 

But wait, you're reminding me that Termitat sells a USB digital microscope.  :blink: I srsly don't need to spend more money but it's been tempting.

https://termitat.com...tal-microscope/


Formiculture Journals::

Veromessor pergandei, andrei; Novomessor cockerelli

Camponotus fragilis; also separate journal: Camponotus sansabeanus, vicinus, quercicola

Liometopum occidentale;  Prenolepis imparis; Myrmecocystus mexicanus

Pogonomyrmex subnitidus and previously californicus

Tetramorium sp.

Termites: Zootermopsis angusticollis

 

Isopods: A. gestroi, granulatum, kluugi, maculatum, vulgare; C. murina; P. hoffmannseggi, P. haasi, P. ornatus; V. parvus

Spoods: Phidippus sp.


#8 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 4 2020 - 8:41 AM

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I have always had a problem with viewing ants under my microscope. I have had to use dead ants. I will try this method as soon as i get some clay!


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#9 Offline Ants_Dakota - Posted March 4 2020 - 8:42 AM

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Would also love to see pics through a microscope. 

But wait, you're reminding me that Termitat sells a USB digital microscope.  :blink: I srsly don't need to spend more money but it's been tempting.

https://termitat.com...tal-microscope/

He might have a digital microscope, but if not, it is really hard to get good pics out of a cheaper microscope like mine.


Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. -Proverbs 6: 6-8

My South Dakotan Shop Here

Attention Ant-Keepers in South Dakota! Join the SoDak(Society Of Dakotan Ant Keepers)


#10 Offline TheMicroPlanet - Posted March 4 2020 - 12:52 PM

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Would also love to see pics through a microscope. 

But wait, you're reminding me that Termitat sells a USB digital microscope.  :blink: I srsly don't need to spend more money but it's been tempting.

https://termitat.com...tal-microscope/

He might have a digital microscope, but if not, it is really hard to get good pics out of a cheaper microscope like mine.

 

I don't have a digital microscope, but I do have a pretty good compound microscope (it wasn't cheap :D ). I have a little adapter that fits on to one of the lenses (my microscope has binocular lenses), and then I can attach an iPhone onto the adapter, line it up with the lense, and take pictures that way. 

 

Also, diagrams are on their way.

 

I have always had a problem with viewing ants under my microscope. I have had to use dead ants. I will try this method as soon as i get some clay!

I'm glad I could do some good!  :lol:


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