The Ant and The Grasshopper
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Pistacia terebinthus aka the terebinth and the turpentine tree
Pistacia terebinthus also called the terebinth and the turpentine tree, is a deciduous tree species of the genus Pistacia, native to the Mediterranean region from the western regions of Morocco and Portugal to Greece and western and southeastern Turkey. At one time terebinths growing on the… Read more.
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The lactating birds and the bees (gastrin, pepsin, etc)
Crop milk is a secretion from the lining of the crop of parent birds that is regurgitated to young birds. It is found among all pigeons and doves where it is referred to as pigeon milk. An analog… Read more.
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The Ant and the Caterpillar
As an Ant of his talents superiorly vain,Was trotting with consequence over the plain;A Worm, in his progress remarkably slow,Cryâd âBless your good worship, wherever you go!âI hope your great… Read more.
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Daedalus (Greek mythology)
In Greek mythology, Daedalus (Greek: ÎαίΎαλοÏ; Latin: Daedalus; Etruscan: Taitale) was a skillful architect and craftsman, seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and power. He is the father of Icarus, the uncle of Perdix, and possibly also the… Read more.
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Myrmidons (and a little Myrmex)
In Greek mythology, the Myrmidons (or Myrmidones; Greek: ÎÏ ÏÎŒÎčÎŽÏΜΔÏ) were an ancient Thessalian Greek tribe. In Homer’s Iliad, the Myrmidons are the soldiers commanded by Achilles. Their eponymous ancestor was Myrmidon, a king of Phthiotis who was a son of Zeus and “wide-ruling” Eurymedousa, a princess of Phthiotis. She was seduced… Read more.
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Zombie Ant Fungus “Medicinal potential”
Ophiocordyceps are known in the pharmaceutical world to be a medically-important group. O. unilateralis fungi produce various known secondary metabolites, as well as several structurally uncharacterised substances. These natural products are reportedly being investigated… Read more.
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Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, aka Zombie Ant Fungus (Morphology)
The zombie-ant fungus is easily identifiable when its reproductive structure becomes apparent on its dead host, usually a carpenter ant. At the end of its life cycle, O. unilateralis typically generates a… Read more.
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Ants and aphids
Some species of ants farm aphids, protecting them on the plants where they are feeding, and consuming the honeydew the aphids release from the terminations of their alimentary canals. This is a mutualistic relationship, with these… Read more.
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Aphids, carotenoids and photoheterotrophy
Some species of aphids have acquired the ability to synthesise red carotenoids by horizontal gene transfer from fungi. They are the only animals other than two-spotted spider mites and the oriental hornet with this capability. Using their carotenoids, aphids… Read more.
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Honeydew
Honeydew is a sugar-rich sticky liquid, secreted by aphids and some scale insects as they feed on plant sap. When their mouthpart penetrates the phloem, the sugary, high-pressure liquid is forced out of the anus of the aphid. Honeydew is particularly common… Read more.
