TIL How scientists shave ants, and also the ant hair has very cool reflective properties.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3538007/Scientists-SHAVING-ants-learn-cool-extreme-heat-Bizarre-study-reveals-hairs-reflect-light-like-prism.html#:~:text=if%20not%20anaesthetised.-,',direction%20of%20the%20hair's%20growth.
Ant hair is about 98% reflective, and is very similar to how fiber optics work. SEM images in the link for fellow nerds.
On shaving ants:
Speaking to MailOnline, Willot confirmed this 'was indeed a tricky procedure. They are very reactive and won't stop struggling once caught, preventing any shaving attempt if not anaesthetised.'
This was done by exposing the ants for a few seconds to carbon dioxide, then strapping them down firmly.
Hairs were removed using a high-power binocular telescope and a very sharp blade.
'It's the same as shaving your own chin: the scalpel blade has to move in the opposite direction of the hair's growth. It has to be a delicate and gentle motion,' said Willot.
After practising on large soldier ants, he found that a smaller worker ant could be entirely shaved in an hour of delicate work.
He estimates around 40 ants were shaved altogether to produce seven good examples for the experiments.