Like many entomologists, my early insect-studying forays consisted mostly of the 'foot experiment'. This involved inserting a foot into an ant nest, mucking it up a little, then removing said foot and surveying the ensuing chaos. The ants would emerge in force to attack the offending foot, which was, hopefully, long gone. They would then devote themselves to repairing the damage, while the experimenter walked on, momentarily self-satisfied.
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