Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The nest entrances of the desert leafcutter ant Acromyrmex versicolor are often nearly completely round, appearing like a miniature volcano.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A nest of the miniature predator Strumigenys rostrata in an Illinois forest.  Notice how the ants have enclosed their space by building a circular wall around the colony.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
A nest of the miniature predator Pyramica rostrata in an Illinois forest.  Notice how the ants have enclosed their space by building a circular wall around the colony.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013