Amusing/shocking sequences of photos that tell a story about invertebrates

Nature Talk
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I just wanted to share some observations that I really love because they tell a story. None of these are my own. I’m a little limited in my access to nature. (Though NYC has more than you think!)

I really enjoy sequences of photos that show how ants and other invertebrates interact.

This first one shows a small ant annoyed that a larger ant is using “her” food find. She tries to spray the large ant, but the large ant doesn’t care. So she just gives up and eats.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/331855138

This next one shows a rove beetle being brutally attacked by a Lasius ant. These ants are very small and cute, but in their world they are warriors. This is more intense than any movie I’ve seen recently.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/377943489

What tiny stories have you stumbled on?

As a bonus here are a bunch of photos of ants looking at the photographer:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=any&place_id=any&field:Behavior%20Observed=ant%20noticed%20photographer

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Here’s one of my observations of a paper wasp chewing its way into a nest of tent caterpillars in order to capture prey. It was fascinating to watch – I’d never seen this behavior before:

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/130326127

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@alanyoshioka and @m_whitson your images reminded me of this thread, that you could post in, if you want to! https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/life-is-cruel-some-times-warning-graphic-content/

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Thanks very much, @AdamWargon! I’ve taken up your suggestion to post some of my predation observations in the other thread, most of which are sequences or external videos. These include the ant–beetle battle @myrmepropagandist pointed out.

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It’s a good suggestion, but I try to avoid threads that look like they’ll be depressing. I’m one of those identifiers who really wish more people would remember to mark their roadkill observations as “dead”…

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I understand that. I don’t like observations where the ant is dead.

And I was hoping this could be a more cute fun thread?

I hope the rove beetle saga wasn’t too gruesome. But it was just such a good series and so expressive for such small creatures.

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Here is a leafcutter bee, well, cutting a leaf.

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I’m jealous. I’ve always wanted to see one doing that.

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Here’s a very small bee getting booted out of a flower when an oblivious bumblebee comes along: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/378409613

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I put this sequence of a jumping spider preying on an orbweaver into a journal post https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/tjeales