Us vs. Them

When I can stop myself from wondering what savory tree these leaf cutter ants are devouring, I remember the awe I felt watching documentaries in Science class years ago. Just look at the elegant form of the entrance to their home. Imagine the complexity that lies beneath the surface. Check out the size of the leaf that that tiny little ant is carrying!

After I have stopped stopping myself from wondering, I realize that it is probably a leaf from a tree I would like to eat fruit from. The awe sheds and the plotting begins. Leaf cutter ants are tenacious little buggers that can strip every last morsel of foliage from a tree in a night. The challenge of stopping them becomes a battle of wits.

Basically, it does no good to pour the poisonous crystals down the hole. You have to place it on the super path that runs from your tree to their home and hope that they will fall for the bait. Living with these little critters, I think the science class documentary is open to a whole new angle. Something written by Roald Dahl and directed by Salvador Dali. It might even capture kids today.