Podomyrma adelaidae tends to a Lycaenid caterpillar. These caterpillars secrete substances that the ants find attractive, and the ants in turn provide protection from parasites. Poochera, South Australia - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Arboreal Ants: Life in the Treetops

In the warmer regions of the world, a rich and colorful ant fauna lives entirely in the trees.

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Cephalotes varians turtle ant worker emerging from the nest.

Florida Keys, USA

Podomyrma adelaidae tends to a Lycaenid caterpillar. These caterpillars secrete substances that the ants find attractive, and the ants in turn provide protection from parasites.

Poochera, South Australia

Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil

A Podomyrma gratiosa worker forages on a tree trunk. These large ants are almost exclusively arboreal, and their swollen legs contain muscles to help them grip the bark firmly.

Naracoorte, South Australia

A large Podomyrma gratiosa tree ant attacks a column of smaller Crematogaster workers that pass too close to her nest. The Crematogaster fight back, and even though the large size and heavy armor of the Podomyrma allow it a one-on-one advantage, the superior numbers of Crematogaster give the smaller ants the edge in this fight.

Naracoorte, South Australia

Podomyrma sp.

Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia

Camponotus (Colobopsis) impressus is a small arboreal ant whose minor workers (right) mimic Crematogaster acrobat ants. The major workers (left) serve as living doors, plugging nest entrances with an enlarged head.

Laboratory colony at the University of Central Florida, USA

Arboreal Tetraponera nest in hollow spaces of twigs and branches. The ants' slender bodies allow them to maneuver in narrow spaces. (Tetraponera laeviceps).

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

Tetraponera clypeata nest inside the hollow thorn of an Acacia tree. The elongate form of these ants allows them to maneuver in such cramped quarters.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa

Podomyrma adelaidae tends to a Lycaenid caterpillar. These caterpillars secrete substances that the ants find attractive, and the ants in turn provide protection from parasites.

Poochera, South Australia

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Arboreal Ants: Life in the Treetops

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