Technically these ants reproduce asexually, not through some kind of Nicola Griffith-style lesbian parthenogenesis. They are, however, one of the only known all-female animal species. Who is to say whether it wasn't some lesbian urge that caused them to diverge from other ant species and give up sperm altogether?I am reminded of the ant society in T H White's The Once and Future King.
Males = Not-Done.
There were no words for happiness, for freedom, for liking, nor were there any words for their opposites — there were only two words for qualifications, Done and Not-Done — which applied to all questions of value... Their life was not questionable, it was dictated...
Me, T.H. White and lesbian ants in one blog post. You've made my day :)
ReplyDeleteYou were in the quote :) But I am glad you enjoyed it. So are you famous for lesbian parthenogenesis?
ReplyDeleteYewtree -- read Ammonite and find out. ;D
ReplyDeleteDianne - I plan to!
ReplyDelete