Stridulation Amplified: Compositions with the stridulatory organ of Atta cephalotes

12" Maxi-LP / 45 RPM.

This is the first and only ant vinyl record in the world. Stridulations are vibratory signals used in ant communication: acoustic expressions in the form of chirping sequences of different rhythms, which ant generates using a special body organ. The stridulatory organ occurs at the point of articulation between the third and fourth segments of the ant's abdomen: the plectrum rubs against the pars stridens, a ridged surface area, to produce vibrations that can reach frequencies of up to 75 Hz.

Stridulations are recruitment signals and produce a pneumatic effect in the mandibles, facilitating the cutting of leaves. I used DIY piezoelectric amplifiers to record stridulations of leafcutter ants, species Atta cephalotes, in the field and in my antlab, cared for and kept in hybrid habitats

No ecology is silent. Recording ant sounds in the rainforest, even equipped with the right amplifier, is very difficult. I used a DIY piezo amplifier (based on this fantastic artefact) to record stridulations in different contexts of ant interaction. Using either one or a combination of all the following materials I tried to dampen the energy of the vibrations: rubber or cork mats, different kinds of polystyrene, and accustomed granular layers of plaster.

Field and lab recordings from 2009-2012. Field recordings were done at the Otonga Reserve in Ecuador