Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony.  This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony. This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony.  This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony. This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013