Dear Ecolog, I want to bring things into sharper focus: we have all the appropriate collection and export permits. We also have documentation stating that the species is not protected under international agreements, which is all one needs to import ants into Germany, living or dead. Additionally we had permits from the USDA-APHIS to import them into the US, albeit very briefly. I say this because I received several emails warning me about fines and prison sentences!
Rather, the puzzle is that on several trips, US CBP, Agriculture and TSA agents have inspected our living and dead ants in alcohol and never was there a problem. On a few occasions the specimens were shown to the airline, too. Only this time, without telling us, the TSA and/or our airline took 15ml of EtOH (that's half a fluid ounce) and leaving a liter of gin (47% EtOH) untouched. That's the mystery. Maybe next time I should pack them in gin. Thank you to everyone that has replied so far. Eventually I will send out a synthesis email. all the best, Jon Dr. Jon Nicholas Seal Evolution, Verhalten und Genetik Biologie I Universitätsstraße 31 Universität Regensburg D-93040 Regensburg Germany Tel. +49 941 943 3293 Fax +49 941 943 3304 http://www-evolution.uni-regensburg.de/Staff/JonSeal/index_en.html
