Introducing

To express how giddy with excitement I am. My Harvester Ants arrived in the post this morning in a little tube (arty out of focus shot below). I think they're Red Harvesters (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) and they're brilliant.


They apparently bite and sting, so in order to transfer them I popped them in the fridge for 10 minutes to cool them down. At which point they were lethargic enough to get into their gel-matrix habitat - the moment of transfer below.


Sadly, four of the little fellas, pardon me, ladies were dead on arrival, but there are still 25 of their nestmates nibbling at the surace of the matrix, freshening up after their postage. Introducing: Yolanda, Madlenka, Nigella, Margot, Splodey, Carlotta, Oswald, Tally, Minus - Warrior Queen of the Ant People, Marduk T-shirt Men's Room Incdient, Antoinette, Flip, Humdiggler, Boothby Graffoe, Tweetspawn, Sickof, Keith, Bertwhistle, Gertrude, Adam, Cuddles, Squash D, Squish D and Omar. Except for Yolanda and Nigella, who are collaborating on escape plans.


You can expect detailed updates, and if I manage it, maybe even live video. Oh yes. You may have noticed that there are only 24 names there. Leave your suggestions in comments and I'll pick a favourite for the final ant. I love this. I'm thrilled!