Pheidole obscurithorax stays ahead of the competition using group retrieval of food items (in this case, a scavenged wasp carcass). Working together the ants can usually get the bounty home before a more aggressive species usurps their find. P. obscurithorax is a regular competitor of Solenopsis fire ants, both in its native Argentina and along the U.S. gulf coast where both species have been introduced. Entre Rios, Argentina - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Predation

Images of ants hunting and scavenging.

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Nylanderia sp. recruiting in large numbers to an insect carcass.

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

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

Pheidole obscurithorax stays ahead of the competition using group retrieval of food items (in this case, a scavenged wasp carcass). Working together the ants can usually get the bounty home before a more aggressive species usurps their find. P. obscurithorax is a regular competitor of Solenopsis fire ants, both in its native Argentina and along the U.S. gulf coast where both species have been introduced.

Entre Rios, Argentina

In its native Argentina, a colony of Pheidole obscurithorax has found an millipede. Major workers use their powerful jaws to slice away parts of the unfortunate myriapod, while minor workers specialize in carrying the bits back to the nest.

Entre Rios, Argentina

Tropical Pachycondyla epitomize the ant as lone huntress. Even though these insects live in colonies, ants of this genus forage and retrieve prey singly. This P. cooki ant has caught an histerid beetle.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

These Aphaenogaster lamellidens foragers have discovered a live centipede and are attempting to pull it from its burrow.

Dixon Springs, Illinois, USA

Pheidole dentata workers recruit to a dead mosquito. This ant species is normally much darker in color, but populations along the sand ridges of central Florida are unusually pale.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Pheidole obscurithorax stays ahead of the competition using group retrieval of food items (in this case, a scavenged wasp carcass). Working together the ants can usually get the bounty home before a more aggressive species usurps their find. P. obscurithorax is a regular competitor of Solenopsis fire ants, both in its native Argentina and along the U.S. gulf coast where both species have been introduced.

Entre Rios, Argentina

Canon EOS 20D |

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Original size: 3452x2296 |

Current: 800x532 |

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Keywords: working together carry insects recruit cooperation prey hymenoptera foraging recruitment formicidae myrmicinae pheidole central place minor workers pheidole obscurithorax group foraging group prey retrieval

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Predation

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