Acropyga epedana Portal, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Acropyga

is a small subterranean formicine ant known for specialized relationships with hemipterans that feed on plant roots. Species are found in warmer regions around the world.

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Acropyga acutiventris - root aphid ant. Small eyes, a compact body, and yellow coloration are traits typical of subterranean ants.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

An Acropyga acutiventris worker ant pulls a cocoon to safety after the photographer disturbs her nest.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Acropyga acutiventris

Iron Range National Park, Queensland, Australia

Mating Acropyga epedana ants, the queen carrying a mealybug in her mandibles. Acropyga live nearly entirely by consuming secretions of root-feeding mealybugs, and the mealybugs depend on the ants for dispersal and protection. When young queen ants leave the nest to mate and start new colonies, they take a mealybug with them.

Portal, Arizona, USA

A nearly blind Acropyga goeldii worker ant tends to root-feeding mealybugs in an underground chamber. The ants depend on their hemipteran "cattle" for food, while the mealybugs are kept safe from predators and carried to new roots by their ant guards.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Acropyga goeldii worker & alate queen. Workers are nearly blind, but queens have eyes to help navigate during their brief flight to start a new colony.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

An Acropyga goeldii worker carries a mealybug.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Acropyga epedana

Portal, Arizona, USA

Original size: 2705x1893 |

Current: 800x560 |

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Keywords: underground bugs ants insect insects subterranean ecology formicidae mutualism formicinae mealybug acropyga epedana pseudococcidae

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