Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
When threatened, a worker Camponotus sericeiventris tucks her gaster under her body, aiming the acid-ejecting acidopore forward at the perceived threat.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Camponotus sericeiventris - golden carpenter ant.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Oecophylla smaragdina

Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Oecophylla smaragdina

Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Anonychomyrma workers aggressively defend the carcass of a carpenter ant they have found from would-be usurpers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Breaking open a leaf nest of Oecophylla weaver ants reveals silk hammocks that make up the nest's internal structure. Note how aggressively guard ants react to the intrusion.

Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Anonychomyrma workers aggressively defend the carcass of a carpenter ant they have found from would-be usurpers.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013