The long, sharp jaws of this Pheidole obscurithorax soldier indicate a predominately predatory species. Pensacola, Florida, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Pheidole

is the world's most species-rich ant genus. These myrmicine ants have a cosmopolitan distribution but are particularly diverse in the tropics, filling a number of niches from seed-harvesting to ant-plant symbionts. The genus is marked by a pronounced worker caste polymorphism; major workers are considerably larger than minors and have disproportionately large heads.

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Pheidole obscurithorax stays ahead of the competition using group retrieval of food items (in this case, a scavenged wasp carcass). Working together the ants can usually get the bounty home before a more aggressive species usurps their find. Pheidole. obscurithorax is a regular competitor of Solenopsis fire ants, both in its native Argentina and along the U.S. gulf coast where both species have been introduced.

Entre Rios, Argentina

Pheidole obscurithorax, a predatory species with jaws designed for slicing.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Pheidole obscurithorax stays ahead of the competition using group retrieval of food (in this case, a scavenged cockroach carcass). Working together, the ants can usually get the bounty home before a more aggressive species usurps their find.

Orlando, Florida, USA

The long, sharp jaws of this Pheidole obscurithorax soldier indicate a predominately predatory species.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Pheidole obscurithorax is a South American native that has been introduced to the U.S. gulf coast.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Pheidole obscurithorax is a South American native that has been introduced to the U.S. gulf coast.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

In its native Argentina, a colony of Pheidole obscurithorax has found an millipede. Major workers use their powerful jaws to slice away parts of the unfortunate myriapod, while minor workers specialize in carrying the bits back to the nest.

Entre Rios, Argentina

Pheidole obscurithorax

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Pheidole obtusospinosa, major worker

Arizona, USA

The long, sharp jaws of this Pheidole obscurithorax soldier indicate a predominately predatory species.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

The long, sharp jaws of this Pheidole obscurithorax soldier indicate a predominately predatory species.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

The long, sharp jaws of this Pheidole obscurithorax soldier indicate a predominately predatory species.

Pensacola, Florida, USA

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 2336x3504 |

Current: 400x600 |

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Keywords: major tramp ants insect insects introduced exotic hymenoptera nonnative formicidae myrmicinae pheidole invasive species trampy tramp ants major worker pheidole obscurithorax

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

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