A colony of Dorymyrmex thoracicus cone ants has discovered a beetle larva and arrive in large numbers to bring it back to their nest. Amaicha del Valle, Tucuman, Argentina - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Dorymyrmex

is a soil-nesting dolichoderine ant abundant in the warmer climates of the New World, particularly in open and arid habitats. Nests of these active, alert insects are usually marked by a characteristic volcano-shaped nest entrance, while the ants themselves can be recognized by a characteristic upward-pointing tooth on the propodeum.

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4

< 31 of 32 >

Dorymyrmex reginicula (at left), a socially parasitic species, is harassed by a worker of its host Dorymyrmex elegans. Workers of the two species coexist in a single nest for a period after the parasite queen has assumed reproduction and before the last remaining host workers die off. The transition period is not entirely smooth, as evidenced by this aggressive interaction.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Dorymyrmex thoracicus cone ants feeding on the remains of a beetle larva.

Amaicha del Valle, Tucuman, Argentina

Dorymyrmex thoracicus worker emerges from the nest.

Frías, Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Dorymyrmex sp., foraging worker

Ubujay, Entre Rios, Argentina

A colony of Dorymyrmex thoracicus cone ants has discovered a beetle larva and arrive in large numbers to bring it back to their nest.

Amaicha del Valle, Tucuman, Argentina

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3504x2336 |

Current: 800x534 |

Share photo: links, forums, blogs |

Keywords: ant ants nature insects biology predation hymenoptera ecology recruitment hormiga formicidae dolichoderinae worker ants hormigas dorymyrmex ants eating dorymyrmex thoracicus cone ants

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4

< 31 of 32 >

Dorymyrmex

Comments