Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
A minor worker of Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects.  Camponotus are more dependent on honeydew-producing insects than are most other ant species, and their guts contain highly specialized microbes that help the ants thrive on the carbohydrate-rich diet.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Camponotus floridanus tending scale insects.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Camponotus floridanus is primarily a night-active species.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Camponotus floridanus

Archbold Biological Station, Florida
Strumigenys rogeri miniature trap-jaw ant foraging in a rotting log.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pogonomyrmex barbatus alate queen.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
Pogonomyrmex barbatus alate queen.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
This predatory Rhytidoponera worker has captured a caterpillar and is carrying it back to her nest.

Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids. The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids. The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013