Even on a rain-battered Philadelphia sidewalk, nature can still deliver a surprisingly dramatic showdown.
In a close-up wildlife video, an ant locked onto a mosquito, and viewers are enthusiastically taking the ant's side.
What happened?
The video was shared to Reddit's r/NatureIsF******Lit community with the title, "An ant killing a mosquito on a rainy Philadelphia sidewalk."
(Click here to watch the embedded video if it does not appear.)
Despite the violent nature of the video, the comments were filled with delight.
"Welcome to the resistance, ants. F*** mosquitos forever!!!" one commenter wrote.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
A second person wrote, "Get him ant bro!"
A third Reddit user, however, suggested: "I think it already be dead. Ant's trying to take some of it home for dinner, the way they do."
Why does it matter?
Even a wet patch of concrete can offer a look at urban wildlife in action. But part of the post's appeal was clearly related to people widely disliking mosquitoes because they're irritating and can spread serious diseases.
The comments also hinted at a more complicated ecological picture.
One commenter noted, "They pollinate sadly," and pointed out, "And they're food for a lot of things."
If you want to make it harder for mosquitoes to gather, start by dumping standing water from birdbaths and anything else where mosquitoes can breed.
It can also help to use window screens, wear long sleeves when bugs are most active, and apply insect repellent when needed. Those steps can reduce bites without requiring any dramatic sidewalk insect battles.
Adding plants that are local to your yard or garden can support pollinators, and keeping water covered or moving can make an area less welcoming to mosquitoes.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
