Armed with slicing jaws, formic acid and an intrepid attitude, a mob of weaver ants attacked an Indian queenless ant. ‘A hundred or so encircled the large ant,’ says Ripan. ‘Some bit its legs, some its antennae, and others sprayed formic acid.’ Risking the ants’ wrath, Ripan lay on the ground to capture the energy of the ambush.
These ants are so efficient at repelling intruders that their patch is often depleted of any other insects. For centuries, therefore, farmers have introduced weaver ants as a means of controlling agricultural pests. High in protein and other nutrients, the ants and their larvae can be a valuable food source for humans, too.
India
Ripan has been inspired by nature since childhood, enthralled by everything from the life and death of a grasshopper and the flashing green hue of a bee-eater to the sound of crushing dry leaves on the forest floor. His work focuses on insect macro photography and his photos have been published in magazines, including Sanctuary Asia and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Ripan has also received many national and international awards in wildlife photography competitions.
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