Aphaenogaster - # - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Aphaenogaster

is a heterogeneous assemblage of slender myrmicine ants found worldwide. A number of species are seed harvesters, while other species, such as A. tennesseensis, are social parasites of other Aphaenogaster. A few Australian species build extensive soil mounds and are regarded as pests of lawns and pastures.

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Aphaenogaster cockerelli, guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, one of the most conspicuous harvester ants of American southwest, carries a mesquite seed back to her nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

The large, leggy Aphaenogaster cockerelli is among the most distinctive of the Sonoran desert ants.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli alate queen.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants.

Here, an Aphaenogaster fulva disperses a bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seed.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants.

Here, Aphaenogaster disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants.

Here, Aphaenogaster fulva disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants.

Here, Aphaenogaster fulva disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Aphaenogaster cockerelli, guarding the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3504x2336 |

Current: 800x534 |

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Keywords: desert ants worker insect insects hymenoptera formicidae myrmicinae aphaenogaster cockerelli novomessor

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