Spider ants (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus) store liquid food in the swollen abdomens of replete workers. Harrietville, Victoria, Australia - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Leptomyrmex

is a large, leggy, often colorful genus restricted to eastern Australia, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. The skittish movements and long legs of these distinctive insects give them the common name "spider ants". Some workers in each nest specialize as living storage containers called repletes, their abdomens greatly distended.

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Leptomyrmex burwelli is one of the smallest Leptomyrmex. species. This individual is a replete, her abdomen swollen with liquid food reserves.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

An absconding Leptomyrmex darlingtoni worker climbs a small bush with a larva after the photographer has disturbed her nest at the base of the bush. A number of ant species display this absconding behavior upon nest disturbance, possibly as a defense against attacks by subterranean army ants.

Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia

A Leptomyrmex darlingtoni spider ant climbs a small bush with a larva after the photographer has disturbed her nest. The greatly distended gaster indicates that this ant is a replete who functions within the nest as a living storage chamber for liquids.

Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia

Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus spider ants scurry to carry brood to safety after the photographer uncovers their nest.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

A Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus forager scales a grass blade for a better look.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Spider ants (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus) store liquid food in the swollen abdomens of replete workers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Portrait of a Leptomyrmex ruficeps spider ant, so named for her physical resemblance to leggy arachnids.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Leptomyrmex ruficeps spider ant.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Spider ants (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus) store liquid food in the swollen abdomens of replete workers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Spider ants (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus) store liquid food in the swollen abdomens of replete workers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Spider ants (Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus) store liquid food in the swollen abdomens of replete workers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4263x2800 |

Current: 800x526 |

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Keywords: larva leptomyrmex spider ants social insects brood care replete worker

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

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