The hollow stem of a Cecropia ant-plant is divided into chambers to house fierce Azteca alfari ants. Inside, the ants raise their brood and tend to mealybugs. Gamboa, Panama - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Azteca

is a genus of aggressive, tree-dwelling dolichoderine ants found throughout the new world tropics. Some species have evolved specialized relationships with the plants that house them.

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The hollow stem of a Cecropia ant-plant is divided into chambers to house fierce Azteca alfari ants. Inside, the ants raise their brood and tend to mealybugs.

Gamboa, Panama

Azteca alfari Cecropia ants sharing a moment...

Gamboa, Panama

Azteca alfari worker ant guarding her Cecropia host tree.

Gamboa, Panama

In a small chamber in the heart of a Cecropia sapling, a young Azteca alfari queen hunkers down to start a new ant colony.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia

Azteca alfari Cecropia ants do not tolerate other species on their host tree. When intruders are encountered, the Azteca patrollers work together to pin them down. Interestingly, the offending insects aren't always killed. This Camponotus was simply dragged to the edge of the plant and dropped.

Gamboa, Panama

The hollow stem of a Cecropia tree houses a colony of fierce Azteca alfari ants. Here, a worker walks across a pile of maturing pupae.

Gamboa, Panama

An Azteca alfari worker ant guards the nest entrance.

Gamboa, Panama

Azteca alfari Cecropia ants guard their tree zealously against intruders. Working together, they surround and immobilize their opponents such as this trap-jaw ant by pinning down their appendages.

Gamboa, Panama

The hollow stem of a Cecropia tree houses a colony of fierce Azteca alfari ants. Here, a worker drags a larva to safety after the photographer disturbs the nest.

Gamboa, Panama

The hollow stem of a Cecropia ant-plant is divided into chambers to house fierce Azteca alfari ants. Inside, the ants raise their brood and tend to mealybugs.

Gamboa, Panama

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3504x2332 |

Current: 800x533 |

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Keywords: bugs ants nature insect insects evolution botany cecropia tropics azteca arboreal ecology formicidae mutualism dolichoderinae ant nests ant plant coevolution ants and plants azteca alfari

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Azteca

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