The long spines on this Polyrhachis ant protect the insect's vulnerable waist while still allowing a broad range of movement. Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Australian Ants

The wayward southern continent of Australia is famous for the strange and relictual creatures that have evolved in nearly complete isolation. The ants are no exception. Australia's ant fauna is both diverse and exceptionally abundant, with a host of species found nowhere else.

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Podomyrma gratiosa fighting with Crematogaster.

Naracoorte, South Australia

Polyrhachis (Myrma) foreli

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Although the most famous weaver ants are in the genus Oecophylla, many weaving species also occur in Polyrhachis. Here, a Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni worker sits atop a nest fashioned from a rolled leaf. The leaf is bound by silk spun from the ants' larvae.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) sp. This weaver ant colony has made a nest by folding a leaf and sealing the open ends with silk and debris.

Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) worker carries a cocoon to safety.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

The long spines on this Polyrhachis ant protect the insect's vulnerable waist while still allowing a broad range of movement.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 5038x3451 |

Current: 800x548 |

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Keywords: spines cuticle formicidae polyrhachis spiny ants

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Australian Ants

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