Quote:
Originally Posted by nekokami
I think the white paint is sticky, but maybe it's also chalk-based. The websites I looked at suggested that ants don't like the feel of chalk on their feet. I wonder how they interviewed the ants to find that out? Do you suppose they drew a statistically significant sample, or went with in-depth qualitative ethnographies?  |
I might be venturing out of competence here but I think it has to do with the size of the chalk particles. To climb vertical surfaces insects rely on fine cilia distributed on their limb tips. Chalk particles could accumulate between cilia and prevent adhesion to surfaces for a good safe climb. Ants are notoriously clean creatures and must notice the disruptions so they'll avoid chalk when they get to it.