Discovery Time!

  It was once said that there is "Nothing new under the sun."  Well, that may be so, in general, but it is far from true when it comes to me. There are so many things out there that are new to me!  I try to learn something new every day.  Son keeps after me to "use the brain" as he says it will become stale and those brain cells die.  Making new brain cells involves learning so I jump at the chance to learn anything I can.  Today, I researched a "new" ant.  By new, I mean new to me.  Granted, I have seen these critters about the Bayou at times but I never thought much about them, other than the fact that they were weird looking.  This ant does not look like the fire ants that build huge mounds nor the crazy ants that make small, but numerous, mounds.  This thing looked a lot more like a wasp that forgot to put on its wings.

  The ant in question is a slender twig ant.  It lives in pre-hollowed tunnels in trees, shrubs or reeds.  The entire colony can be inside a tree and no one would ever know as they really do not do damage that causes the tree to die.  The ants do, however, have a very, very painful bite! (Yes.  I found out the hard way.)  While fire ants can itch dreadfully, this is more akin to a bee sting.  It is just painful.  THEN, it itches. This ant feeds on live prey, fungi or tends aphids for honeydew.  

  While the ant seems like it would be a threat due to its intense bite, there is really no need to go on a search for them.  They are rarely encountered since they live inside trees and won't bite unless you threaten them.  My bite occurred because I wanted to see the underside of the ant.  (Not smart!)  I still do not begrudge the little guy for defending himself as I would have done the same.  So, slender twig ant went on his merry way after giving me a good nip!