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.
Pheidole xerophila is a common small seed harvester in the deserts of the American southwest. Here are major and minor workers along a foraging trail.
Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pheidole xerophila is a common small seed harvester in the deserts of the American southwest. Here are major and minor workers along a foraging trail.
Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Original size: 2632x1824 |
Current: 800x555 |
