Learning Zone

Weaver ants on Indian almond leaf

We’ve all have heard of the comfort zone, but did you know there are two other zones? Tom Senninger explained a helpful model of two other zones. According to him, there are three zones. Comfort, Learning & Panic zone. In order to learn we have to explore and venture out into the unknown. We already … Read more

Ant Farmer

Ant Sucking HoneyDew from Aphid

Who would consider ants farmers? Farmer is not a vocation naturally assigned to these tiny insects. The fact is that they herd and care for aphids to keep a much-loved food in constant supply. Aphids and ants on plants are as interdependent as Idli & sambar. I saw this Camponotus Ant on the underside of … Read more

Weaver Ants with Prey

Weaver Ants with Prey

I found these major workers of Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) hunting a nymph of a cockroach. As these nymphs grow they are compelled to moult their cuticle, a process known as Ecdysis. After moulting, an arthropod is described as teneral, a callow; it is fresh, pale and soft-bodied. They are pretty vulnerable to attack by … Read more

Indian Queenless Ant

Indian Queenless Ant

Here is a capture of Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) workers killing a Indian Queenless Ant, also known as Lesser Striated Bispinous Ant (Diacamma indicum). These Diacamma indicum ants are native to the Indian subcontinent. Since Diacamma species forage individually and they don’t have a queen in their colony they are also called Indian queenless ant. … Read more

Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens Hands-On Test

Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD

In February 2016, Tamron introduced a new macro lens Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model : F017). Tamron had a similarly named lens earlier and the only difference you see in the name, is the model number. However it is totally different lens from exterior as well internally. I was able … Read more

Two Ants on a Rattlepod

Two Ants on a Rattlepod

I found this Golden backed Ant (Camponotus sericeus) and a tiny pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis) on a fresh pod of Rattlepod (Crotalaria pallida) in my backyard. I was using my favorite macro rig consists of Canon EOS 5D Mark III with Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM illuminated by Canon MT-24EX macro twin light … Read more