Stigmatomma pallipes worker with eggs and pupae. South Bristol, New York, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Stigmatomma

is an ancient group of predaceous ants found worldwide, sometimes called "dracula ants" for the adults' habit of feeding on larval hemolymph. These subterranean ants have elongate mandibles, poor vision, and a characteristic broad posterior attachment of the petiole. Many species are specialist predators of centipedes.

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Stigmatomma oregonensis is a specialist predator of geophilomorph centipedes. Here, two workers attempt to sting the front end of a centipede while the back end pulls them across the substrate.

Quincy, California, USA

Stigmatomma oregonensis. Many of the most ancient lineages of ants show little size difference between queens and workers. Here, a queen sits atop a pile of brood in a laboratory nest; the other individuals are workers.

Quincy, California, USA

Ouch! A dracula ant (Stigmatomma oregonensis) sinks her sting deep into the head capsule of a centipede.

Quincy, California, USA

Stigmatomma oregonensis is a specialist predator of geophilomorph centipedes. Here, a worker ant carries a centipede it has paralyzed back to her nest.

Quincy, California, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes worker with eggs and pupae.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes dracula ant worker with larvae. This species is the most common and widespread of the North American Stigmatomma.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes is the common dracula ant of eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes dracula ant workers with cocoons. This species is the most common and widespread of the North American Stigmatomma.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes is nearly blind, its eyes reduced to mere spots.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes worker with eggs and pupae.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes worker with eggs and pupae.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Stigmatomma pallipes worker with eggs and pupae.

South Bristol, New York, USA

Canon EOS D60 |

More details: exif |

Original size: 2409x1743 |

Current: 800x579 |

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Keywords: ant ants eggs insects evolution cocoon hymenoptera brood formicidae amblyopone amblyoponinae ant eggs dracula ants worker ants primitive ants ancient ants amblyopone pallipes stigmatomma pallipes

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

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