Quito, Ecuador

Why I chose to go to Ecuador: I had never been to South America, and I wanted to learn about this fascinating part of the world.

What I identified as the greatest challenges facing me as I began my study abroad program: Speaking Spanish! So often, I know what I want to say, but it is so hard to make it come out right when I’m aware that everyone will know it if I make a mistake.

My ICRP: I participated in a study of the activity and daily behaviors of a nest of leaf-cutter ants of the genus, Atta. These ants grow fungus for all or part of their nutritional needs, using fresh leaves and flowers in the process.

These ants were studied between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm for three weeks at the Tiputini Biodiversity in varying climates. We found that this group of leaf-cutters attacked a variety of trees with strong odors and tastes (indicating the presence of strong chemical defenses against herbivory). We also found that the majority of the daily leaf contributions are brought to the nest between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm, with the heaviest observed volume between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. Between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm leaf contributions to the nest steadily declined. The majority of the activity exhibited by this group after sundown involved the maintenance of foraging galleries. We also found that these ants more actively cuts leaves when the weather is sunny and dry. There was a steady decline in leaf contributions when the weather was partly sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy, or drizzling. During heavy rain, there was no leaf cutting activity.

See contact page to arrange a speaking engagement.

Read excerpts from my letters home.