Nikon competition reveals the terrifying face of ants up close

It’s not a good look.

A stunning photo of an ant’s face magnified five times under a microscope has gone viral on social media – although it hardly deserves a mention in the Nikon Small World Photomicrography competition.

Lithuanian wildlife photographer Dr. Eugenius Kavaliauskas Presenter “The Ant (Kamponotos)”, which gives a terrifying perspective of the daily bead-eyed pest with fierce snarls and flame-like whiskers.

Once a famous photographer of birds of prey, Kavaliauskas has recently shifted his focus to insects, according to his wallet.

This year saw the 48th annual Nikon competition, which focuses on microscopy imaging that reveals details unseen to the human eye. The image of Kavaliauskas did not reach the Top 20 Categories and Honorable Mentions, but was included as One of 57 “Pictures of Excellence”.

Talk to the insider This week, Kavaliauskas said he appreciates how micro-imaging technology allows him to find newer and more interesting aspects of his subjects.

“I am always looking for details, shadows, and unseen angles. The main goal of photographing is to be an explorer,” he said. “I am fascinated by the masterpieces of the Creator and the opportunity to see God’s plans.”

When Kavaliauskas was asked about the amazing sight of ants, he replied, “There are no horrors in nature.”

Not everyone agrees.

Rebecca McKendry, a professor of film at the University of Southern California, sparked a small firestorm when she shared a photo of Kavaliauskas on Twitter on Monday.

A picture from a horror movie? McKendry captioned the photo. “No. This is the true face of an ant.”

“Now you have to think about it all night long,” she joked.

Commentators soon got caught up in their reactions.

Someone asked, “Why are you doing this to me?”

Another replied, “Now I have 12-15 hours to get that image out of my head.”

Some managed to highlight their horror, with one person writing “Just wait till Disney’s realistic remake of A Bug’s Life.”

Even Kavaliauskas admitted that he was once terrified of everything he saw under the microscope.

“When I first started micro-firing, I also thought that all beetles were a little bit like monsters,” he told Insider. “But now, I am used to it, and I am amazed that there are so many exciting, beautiful and unknown miracles under our feet.”

In addition to some viral clout, Kavaliauskas pulled away from the competition with a single Nikon item with a retail value of $35. Out of 1,300 entries, the first prize – including a cash reward of $3,000 – went to “the embryonic hand of today’s giant gecko in Madagascar” (Phlusoma GrandisGregory Timmin and Michael Milinkovic.

Affiliates to the Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva. Timin and Milinkovitch captured the front paw of the giant day gecko in fluorescent detail at 6X magnification.

“This particular image is beautiful and informative, both as an overview and also when you zoom in on a specific area, which sheds light on how structures are organized at the cellular level,” Timin said in a Nikon press release.

The 2023 Small World Microscopy Contest already exists Open for applicationsWhich is welcomed by anyone interested in imaging and microscopy. There is also a video segment called The Small World In Motion.

Kavaliauskas did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Post.