An Ectatomma tuberculatum worker stores honeydew in her open mandibles.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Cephalotes varians. A soldier ant blocks the nest entrance with her head- visible as a broad disk- while a second soldier walks by. Competition for limited nesting sites is fierce, and soldiers prevent other ant species from usurping their territory.

Florida Keys, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
An Ectatomma tuberculatum worker stores honeydew in her open mandibles.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
An Ectatomma tuberculatum worker stores honeydew in her open mandibles.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
An Ectatomma tuberculatum worker stores honeydew in her open mandibles.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013