Minsoo Dong

MSc student @UniJena 🇩🇪/ @MPI_CE / Focusing on locomotion, muscle & skeleton of ants / Author of Ants of Korea (

[Nature Methods @naturemethods]

Introducing Antscan, a public database of synchrotron X-ray CT images of 800 ant species.

https://t.co/Sqe5yXyIUA

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

New paper is out! We now recognize 147 species, including 22 new records, and have removed 31 from previous lists. This provides the most comprehensive framework yet for understanding ant diversity, distribution, and invasive risks in Korea.

🔗 https://t.co/os1lZgIXSs

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Liometopum microcephalum was commonly seen across central Italy, with large nests built on acacia trees.

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Unexpected encounters in the heart of Bulgaria: A myrmecophile beetle living among its hosts, Lasius ants. They mimic the ants’ pheromones to live undetected in their colonies, stealing food right under their noses. 🇧🇬

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Bridal race and copulation of Cataglyphis aenescens. Observed on May 19, 2025, in Türkiye 🇹🇷

This rare moment captures the dramatic mating behavior of desert ants, where males chase after emerging virgin queens in a fast-paced race on the scorching ground.

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

A cool Probolomyrmex queen found in Singapore

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

The best moment! ☺️

[Dr. Corrie Moreau @CorrieMoreau]

Many great moments while visiting @MPI_CE this week including meeting in person for the first time Minsoo Dong @formicoid97 who was my matched @SACNAS 2020 one-on-one mentee! He is now a master's student at @UniJena & wrote a book on the Ants of Korea & he gave me a signed copy!

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Prenolepis jerdoni is evacuating to escape from the raiding of the army ant Aenictus. Sumatra, Indonesia

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Some Colobopsis ants not only block nest entrances with their heads but also explode for defense. The Colobopsis cylindrica group employs a self-sacrificial mechanism, bursting to release sticky substances from their mandibular glands to deter predators. Sumatra, Indonesia

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@GoatScorching No, I couldn't. I only saw C. schmidti

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Messor wasmanni, the harvester ant, is discarding seed husks outside their nests. This behavior was observed throughout Corfu Island from the afternoon into the night.

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@SangBinLee4 That's right, the resistance of the termite soldiers was quite intense :(

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Megaponera analis, the Matabele ant, is a fascinating predator from sub-Saharan Africa known for its organized raids on termite nests. These large ants even have a unique 'rescue system' for injured nestmates during their impressive raiding operations. Oct 8, 2022. Kenya

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@jpmyrmecol For anyone interested in ant cognition and brain of ants, this ant would be the perfect subject!

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Cataglyphis nodus found on Corfu, Greece! They can travel hundreds of meters from their nest to find food and return with pinpoint accuracy using sophisticated navigation systems based on the sun's position, visual landmarks, path integration, and even the Earth's magnetic field.

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

Look how cute the Cataglyphis is as she watches out for the car!

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@myrmecoPhil It reminds me the Ancyridris! Amazing

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@jpmyrmecol Congratulations! 🎉

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@jmvidalcordero Thank you! I was amazed at how closely it resembles real ants.

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

My fourth book has just been published! This enchanting picture book is tailor-made for children and showcases a captivating story about ants, accompanied by stunning, high-quality artworks. *Korean

[Minsoo Dong @formicoid97]

@antparasitoid Thank you so much!