Tasting the rainbow: The ants whose multi-coloured abdomens show exactly what they've been eating

[progressoid]

Tasting the rainbow: The ants whose multi-coloured abdomens show exactly what they've been eating

The saying 'you are what you eat' is true for these insects as stunning pictures show their abdomens changing colour as they sip on sugar drops.

He gave the creatures the brightly coloured sugar drops and watched as their transparent stomachs matched the food they were eating.



Some of the ants even wandered from one colour to another, creating new combinations in their bodies.

Scientist Dr Babu, mixed the sugar drops with edible colours red, green, blue and yellow and placed them in his garden to attract the insects.

...

The 53-year-old discovered the ants preferred lighter colours such as yellow and green.

He said: 'The idea for the photograph came to me after my wife showed me some ants that turned white sipping the spilled milk drops on our kitchen counter.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2022765/The-ants-multi-coloured-abdomens-exactly-theyve-eating.html#ixzz1WRFstRfv

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Wow...amazing and way cool.

[saras]

2. He's discovered paint. It's time to learn to paint.

[thereismore]

3. So the ants have transparent bellies. It's a nice effect but hardly sensational. nt

[aquart]

4. Delightful and magical.

[Odin2005]

5. Too cool!

[Kurmudgeon]

6. Glad I don't have a transparent belly.

It could end up looking pretty rough after a trip to my favorite Indian buffet!