Ophiocordyceps fungus growing from the carcass of a carpenter ant. Note how the ant's mandibles have gripped the leaf edge, anchoring it in place. This behavior is induced when the fungus takes partial control over the ant's brain. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Ant Predators, Parasites, and other Enemies

Images of species that parasitize or prey on ants.

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This juvenile widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus) has set up a web over the opening of a harvester ant nest (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis).

Hallelujah Junction, California, USA

A Camponotus forager falls prey to a Hemicloea flat bark spider in the Australian mallee.

Poochera, South Australia

A small parasitic wasp (Braconidae: Elasmosoma) hovers over a trail of Formica ants.

MacLaughlin U.C. Reserve, California, USA

The most risky phase in the life history of an ant colony is during founding, when young females set off to start new colonies. The vast majority perish at this stage. This queen carpenter ant (Camponotus modoc has been attacked and killed by a fungus, whose white hyphae are seen emerging from the carcass.

Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA

This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages. As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA

An Ophiocordyceps fungus sprouts from a Camponotus carpenter ant.

Armenia, Belize

Ants killed by fungi are often found stuck to the underside of leaves near the forest floor. There, the humidity is optimal for fungal growth.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

In the Amazonian forest, this Camponotus femoratus ant has been killed and its tissues replaced by an aggressive Ophiocordyceps fungus.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Ophiocordyceps fungus growing from the carcass of a carpenter ant. Note how the ant's mandibles have gripped the leaf edge, anchoring it in place. This behavior is induced when the fungus takes partial control over the ant's brain.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4278x3036 |

Current: 800x568 |

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Keywords: rainforest cordyceps camponotus femoratus ophiocordyceps entomopathogenic fungi

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Ant Predators, Parasites, and other Enemies

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