Although the most famous weaver ants are in the genus Oecophylla, many weaving species also occur in Polyrhachis. Here, a Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni worker sits atop a nest fashioned from a rolled leaf. The leaf is bound by silk spun from the ants' larvae.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
A disorderly pile of dirt marks the entrance of a small Meranoplus ant nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus spider ants scurry to carry brood to safety after the photographer uncovers their nest.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus spider ants scurry to carry brood to safety after the photographer uncovers their nest.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants. These common insects make characteristic pebbly clearings around their nests.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Amblyopone australis, cocoons and adults in the brood nest. Many species in the ancient ant subfamily Amblyoponinae have the characteristically yellow cocoons.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Pheidole sp.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013