You see eachother emerging from the dark shadows for the hunt, glowing in greens, blues and ultraviolet.
Image © Matyas Molnar, Sweden
Autofluorescence is a phenomenon found in many plants, insects and some animals which enable them to essentially glow in the dark. More research is being conducted on this, but the function appears to be related to evolutionary survival factors. Ants have been photographed showing autofluorescence.
Work in progress: a speculative design for an electronic wearable cloak and headpiece, inspired by a nocturnal bull ant species’ ability to see exceptionally well in the dark. It is speculated that they would also be able to detect autofluorescence around them, an adaptation thought to have evolved for the purpose of solitary hunting.
At this early stage, the design incorporates a dark fabric cloak that uses fibre optics and LEDs that are activated by a light sensor when the wearer moves into the dark. The headpiece features the bull ant’s large compound eyes and antennae (which will house a touch sensor).