Whose stinger is this?

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:39 pm

Take a guess. I'll give a hint tomorrow morning.

This was taken at 10X on sensor. That makes the length of the stinger just under 2mm. This view is from the ventral side.

Mitutoyo 10/0.28 with Nikon tube lens. Canon 50D. 10X on sensor.

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:22 pm

First guess,

The barbs indicate that when it goes in, it does not retract.

Bee?

Craig

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 1:55 am

No idea.

But the lighting is fantastic!

Barry

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:12 am

Craig.... no.

This is not a case of having a "bark worse than its bite". It belongs to an order with many notorious stinging species, but when ranked for the pain of a sting, this one is at the top of the list.

lauriek · Post by **lauriek** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:54 am

I was going to say bee as well but given you're comment I'd guess one of those 'cow killer' beasties...

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:57 am

It does not look like a jellyfish; so, something like a tarantula hawk wasp?

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:10 am

I'm voting with Laurie, "cow killer" = "velvet ant" = Hymenoptera:Mutillidae. Those hairs would be typical of the group also.

--Rik

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 10:19 am

This clue should do it....

On a "pain" scale of 0 to 4, the tarantula hawk does earn a 4. But the owner of this stinger gets a 4+. (reminiscent of "Spinal Tap"... "these go to 11"...

)

The "common" name, says it all. (But Superman was faster!)

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:13 am

4+=bullet ant?

morfa · Post by **morfa** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:27 am

In this case this type of lighting not only makes for a beautiful image but it helps revealing detail I have a feeling would have been lost with a more regular lighting approach.

Found the amusing "Schmidt Sting Pain Index" on wikipedia so now I'm with Javier but I must confess I hadn't even heard of this species before!

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:32 am

morfa wrote:Found the amusing "Schmidt Sting Pain Index" on wikipedia so now I'm with Javier but I must confess I hadn't even heard of this species before!

This is all new to me. Thanks for the info!

--Rik

seta666 · Post by **seta666** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:35 am

I know nothing about insects, but google does a nice job!! ;-)

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:06 pm

Yes, Paraponera clavata (aka "Bullet Ant") it is!

Some interesting info, and even videos show up with a little web search.

Among the more interesting is a "warrior" or "manhood" ritual of the Satere-Mawe in Brazil.

If you don't mind a little TV "drama" added, take a look at these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WQ6rFKhyn0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VarqiOM4-Fg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGIZ-zUvotM (mostly same footage as the first one, but presented by Nat. Geographic with less added "melodrama")

And for the pop-culture references and clue above:
Superman was, of course, "faster than a speeding bullet"

For the "Spinal Tap" movie "these go to 11" reference (in regards to going off a scale) see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuzpsO4ErOQ

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 6:43 pm

Charlie,

The "Nikon tube lens", what is its position in the image chain in relation to the rear of the objective?

Also, is the "Nikon tube lens" from an Optiphot or is it Nikon part number MXA20696?

Can anyone confirm if Nikon part number MXA20696 is the correct "Nikon tube lens" for the Nikon CFI60 range of infinity-corrected microscopes?

Craig

dmillard · Post by **dmillard** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 7:07 pm

Charlie,

Thanks for the image, and the entertaining links!

Was this done with your darkfield condenser?

David