Comments on: A Near-Extinct Blue Butterfly Flourishes Again, Thanks to a Red Ant

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:01:16 +0000

Were these the ordinary red ants I’ve grown up around, or some sorta exclusive, rare red ants?

By: dolphinfriend

dolphinfriend — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:06:24 +0000

Wow! That’s pretty cool. I wonder why the ants take in the caterpillar when it will just eat their babies. They have to gain something. Poor red ants. I hope that people will help the red ants and the butterflies.

By: katwagner

katwagner — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:07:11 +0000

Omgsh, this has to be the coolest thing I’ve read all week. Let’s hear it for science, observation and getting the story straight. We can save the whole planet if we try hard enough!

By: Skadoosh

Skadoosh — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:50:58 +0000

How come no one cares about the red ants? Capitalism picks winners and losers too, but libs aren’t so fond of that “natural habitat.” Haha, hypocrites…

By: brenatevi

brenatevi — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:59:38 +0000

“And they say that there’s no way that humans are affecting earth’s climate? Ya rite!” I take exception to this as someone that thinks AGW is overstated; I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’ve never said that humans don’t affect climate.

You can think whatever you want about my opinion, but think on this: how many species have become extinct without human interference? And yet another way of looking at it: why is extinction seen as so bad? I know that the word “biodiversity” gets thrown around a lot, yet the Earth has seen extinctions that have wiped out 70%+ of species, multiple times, and yet, here we are. So… At what point does it sink in that the world changes with or without humanity’s input?

On the other hand, I find it gratifying that people were clever enough to save this species, even if for a little while.

By: Alex B

Alex B — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:05:28 +0000

WOW! Amazing! What a testament to the well balanced and delicate web of ecosystems! Its so humbling/scary to see how such a miniscule change can wipe out a whole species! Myxomatosis killed the rabbits, this allowed the grass to get too long, that cooled the ground, the ants left because of the temp. change, and the caterpillar’s lifecycle was disturbed! And they say that there’s no way that humans are affecting earth’s climate? Ya rite!

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:35:44 +0000

A slendid treat for my eyes to see. I will definitely share this achievement with others.

By: asha

asha — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:58:47 +0000

What a wonderful success. Bravo! And so much better use of intelligence than building weapons of mass destruction.

By: johnn costello

johnn costello — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:12:28 +0000

bring some to New Jersey, PLEASE