The swollen stem of a Cordia nodosa plant houses a symbiotic colony of Azteca ants. The ants protect the plant from herbivores in exchange for lodging. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador - 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.

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 >

< 34 of 39 >

The carton nest of an Azteca trigona -complex species hangs from a tree branch.

Gamboa, Panama

Myrmecologist Ricardo Solar illuminates a large Azteca carton nest on the campus of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Guard ants from an Azteca colony defend their nest from an army ant raid by pinning down one of the invaders (Eciton hamatum).

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

An Eciton hamatum army ant worker is pinned down by fierce little Azteca ants defending their territory.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

The swollen stem of a Cordia nodosa plant houses a symbiotic colony of Azteca ants. The ants protect the plant from herbivores in exchange for lodging.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Dolichoderine ants are high-energy insects. The Azteca ants that rule tropical rainforest canopies, for example, get many of their carbohydrates from relationships with honeydew-producing scale insects.

Jatun Sacha, Napo, Ecuador

The swollen stem of a Cordia nodosa plant houses a symbiotic colony of Azteca ants. The ants protect the plant from herbivores in exchange for lodging.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3456x5184 |

Current: 400x600 |

Share photo: links, forums, blogs |

Keywords: cordia boraginaceae mutualism tropical ecology ant plants

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 >

< 34 of 39 >

Azteca

Comments