Wham! A parasitic phorid fly (Pseudacteon) plants her ovipositor between the abdominal sclerites of a Linepithema oblongum worker ant to lay her egg. The oviposition takes less than a second. The hapless ant will later be consumed alive by the developing fly larva. Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Linepithema

is an inconspicuous but ecologically important ant of Neotropical forests and mountains. One species, the Argentine ant L. humile, has become a significant pest in mediterranean climates worldwide.

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Portrait of Linepithema oblongum, the sister species of the infamous Argentine ant L. humile. Little is known about the biology of this ant, in spite of its close relation to a major pest.

Salta, Argentina

Linepithema oblongum carrying a pupa in the brood nest.

Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina

A very young worker ant. Ants begin their adult life as soft, pale creatures. Their integument hardens and strengthens over time. Linepithema oblongum.

Carapunco, Tucumán, Argentina

Wham! A parasitic phorid fly (Pseudacteon) plants her ovipositor between the abdominal sclerites of a Linepithema oblongum worker ant to lay her egg. The oviposition takes less than a second. The hapless ant will later be consumed alive by the developing fly larva.

Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina

Linepithema tsachila, male

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Linepithema tsachila workers feed from the extrafloral nectary of an Inga tree.

Mindo, Ecuador

Wham! A parasitic phorid fly (Pseudacteon) plants her ovipositor between the abdominal sclerites of a Linepithema oblongum worker ant to lay her egg. The oviposition takes less than a second. The hapless ant will later be consumed alive by the developing fly larva.

Termas de Reyes, Jujuy, Argentina

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 2724x1905 |

Current: 800x560 |

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Linepithema

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