Scientist on-exhibit @naturalsciences and Research Asst Prof @NCStateBioSci Insects! Science videos!
Dec 2, 2020 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
Here’s a very 2020 thing I just learned about myself: this picture of the 8-year-old, 3rd grade version of me has been a meme FOR YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like, there’s merch and everything. Internet is weird. thread 👇
As far as I can tell, past me has been living an internet-meme-life as Grayson, a creation of @TeenageStepdad, since at least 2017.
Nov 5, 2019 • 8 tweets • 4 min read
It’s 2:30pm on a Tuesday. That means it’s time to stop & think about how crazy leafcutter ants are!
Ready?
Let’s start by just watching these Atta cephalotes cut up this leaf. Wow. Nice work ants.
Why are they cutting that leaf? To feed to this glorious fungus garden inside their nest!
Has an obligate symbiotic clump of fungus ever looked this good? If ants could subscribe to Bon Appétit, this would be on the cover. Again, nice work ants.
Jul 29, 2019 • 9 tweets • 4 min read
Have you ever been stung by an ant? I made a video for you. I filmed something that’s never been filmed before (as far as I can tell).
This is what happens underneath your skin when an ant is stinging you!
[thread below, full video here: ]
A year ago I filmed this shot of an fire ant getting ready sting my finger. In the corner of the frame was something I hadn’t seen before. Venom being pumped out of stinger.
That’s the thing that hadn’t been filmed: how an ant pumps venom from its stinger.
As far as I can tell, past me has been living an internet-meme-life as Grayson, a creation of @TeenageStepdad, since at least 2017. 
