Discovering Ant Species at Grootbos

Picture One: Ant Faces Up Close

We’ve found 45 different kinds of ants at Grootbos by looking at how they look. Now our team is using DNA tests to double-check the types and build a list of their genetic info.

Fresh ants work best for this, so we’re collecting new ones instead of using old, pinned ones.

Don’t you just love our growing collection of ant faces?

Picture Two: Kgomotso in the Field

Last week, our Conservation Research Unit was out doing a bioblitz (a quick survey to see what living things are around) and a pollen and insect survey.

Here’s Kgomotso collecting ants to help us learn more about nature at Grootbos.