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 major worker of Camponotus suffusus guards the nest entrance. Although many people think of Camponotus as the wood-inhabiting carpenter ants, many species nest in soil.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The busy nest entrance 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
A nest of Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants.

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