Leaf Cutting Ant Forum

I am looking to create a technique which can be filmed to release as a new product. But I need some help to do this. So heres the concept. I wan to take a banana leaf, a big one, and on the reverse of this I want to write the name of a company in some substance that the ants wont be able to (or dont want to) cut through. Then it will be place, the right way up, under a time lapse camera, and off shot a walkway will be placed to a colony of atta. When the ants start to cut the banana leaf I want them to remove everything except the name of the company. This timelapse will then be formatted into a film which the corporate organisation will use in publicity etc. It should be visually stunning to see this happening, their logo emerging, as if by magic, from the activity of the ants. It could be shown on a loop in the company's head office reception or at exhibitions. So I need suggestions and possibly tests done on what chemical or substance works and stops ants cutting when applied invisibly to the reverse of the leaves. Any ideas anyone?

Glue a thin clear plastic template to the underside of the leaf so they cut round the template leaving the glued name?

Erm stencil on agar on the top side. Or make photo of the leaf cut out the logo, place logo on leaf ant cut away leaf leaving logo.

Deansie26 wrote:Glue a thin clear plastic template to the underside of the leaf so they cut round the template leaving the glued name?

Problem with this is most glues I have used to try this affect the leaf on the right side. The leaf almost immediately discolours or crinkles where the glue is. Also it would need to be quite thick plastic, the ants are happy to cut through plastic and leaf at the smae time. Finally it is almost impossible to glue plastic to leaf in such a way that the ants cant cut the leaf and leave the plastic.

Andyj wrote:Erm stencil on agar on the top side. Or make photo of the leaf cut out the logo, place logo on leaf ant cut away leaf leaving logo.

Yes I looked at that. Whatever you do on the top side can be seen in the film. Also the ants are just as happy to cut from below and do regularly. Not sure the photo idea has legs. The film will show any shenanigans like that. You would be able to read logo before ants started. Its got to be invisible. I am almost sure it has to be a substance painted on the reverse which wither sets, like nail varnish, or is distasteful to the ants. Nail varnish, by the way, discolours and crinkles the leaf very quickly. Also the ants are happy to cut it into disks.

Create a template of the logo, attach then spray with urine and remove template, hopefully they will take the most desirable piss covered parts first! #Happy2Help

Britishants.com wrote:Create a template of the logo, attach then spray with urine and remove template, hopefully they will take the most desirable piss covered parts first! #Happy2Help

Lovely... Just what I'd expect from our lot here .

Lol keeping it real!

Britishants.com wrote:Create a template of the logo, attach then spray with urine and remove template, hopefully they will take the most desirable piss covered parts first! #Happy2Help

(LIKE) !!!

Ive heard ants dont like cinnamon, maybe mix some cinnamon into some ptfe then paint it on.

I have saved you all the hassle m8......Your welcome