You see them marching in a line, one ant greeting another as they pass each other. But what do we know about them? Ants are an interesting subject to study with a microscope. Microscopes make it easy for a student, teacher, or researcher to examine and analyze subject specimens wherever they are. A portable microscope is always an advantage for any scientific adventures for a hobbyist that is always on the go.

Ants are an insect group which forms a comparably advanced colony. Belonging to the order Hymenoptra, they were documented as having first appeared during the Cretacious period. The sphecid wasps are their closest relatives and it was theorized that they evolved from these species during the Jurassic period.

Some interesting facts to know about Ants

Did you know that ants are so strong they can carry objects that are twenty times their own weight? The average ant life expectancy ranges from forty-five to sixty days. Having two eyes with each eye composed of many smaller eyes makes the ant a sight to behold when viewed under portable field microscopes. The ants' antennae serve a dual purpose for sense of touch and sense of smell. Among other insect species, the ants very tidy and clean.

When you closely examine the head of an ant using a microscope, you will see that the ant has of a pair of strong, large jaws. The ant's jaws are comparable to a scissor wherein they open and close sideways. Unlike other insects and animals, ants swallow the juice from their food instead of chewing and swallowing them. Their string, large jaws helps in squeezing the juice from their food or prey. After squeezing the juice, the dry food parts are thrown away by the ant.