Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species. Durban, South Africa - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Tramps & Invaders

The rise of human civilization has brought significant changes to the world's ant fauna. Previously obscure ants thrive in new urban and human-modified landscapes, transforming themselves into damaging pest species. A great many species have risen to global dominance by hitchhiking around with trade, cargo, and commerce.

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Paratrechina longicornis nestmate workers, their social stomachs engorged with sugar water.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Paratrechina longicornis feeding on plant sap.

Isla Contadora, Panama

Paratrechina longicornis crazy ants scavenging a trap-jaw ant carcass. Paratrechina group-transport their food, a rapid method, allowing them to secure resources before slower but more aggressive competing species.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Paratrechina fulva is a southern South American crazy ant species that has become a pest where introduced into Colombia.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species.

Durban, South Africa

Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species.

Durban, South Africa

Ants (Pheidole megacephala) tending aphids for honeydew. The tight association of ants and aphids give the ants a significant carbohydrate boost and the aphids protection from predators.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa

Pyramica eggersi worker foraging through the leaf litter.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Pyramica eggersi, a species with longer mandibles than most Pyramica. The function of the long mandibles is unknown, but is presumably related to some sort of prey specialization.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species.

Durban, South Africa

Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species.

Durban, South Africa

Pheidole megacephala, the big-headed ant, is one of the world's most damaging invasive ant species.

Durban, South Africa

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3504x2336 |

Current: 800x534 |

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Keywords: major ants insect insects exotic hymenoptera formicidae myrmicinae pheidole pests pest ants invasive species introduced species bigheaded ants pheidole megacephala invasive ants bigheaded ant major worker

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

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