A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
Raspberry flowers provide nectar to attract flighted pollinators like bees and flies, but ants sometimes sneak in to steal the bounty. (Nylanderia bourbonica)

Orlando, Florida, USA
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
Tetramorium bicarinatum workers gather nectar from glands of an invasive mallow. Some plants use nectar to attract ants as a defense against herbivorous insects, as ants also eat insect eggs and caterpillars.

Orlando, Florida, USA
Metamorphosis in the green tree ant Oecophylla smaragdina.

Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Death by spider: an Oecophylla smaragdina green tree ant captured by a web-building spider.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Portrait of a Papyrius worker.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Ant larvae are voracious. This Ponera grub is neck-deep in the remains of an insect carcass.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Technomyrmex albipes - white-footed ant tending to a mealybug (Pseudococcidae) for honeydew. 

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Portrait of a Papyrius worker.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Portrait of a Papyrius worker.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Portrait of a Papyrius worker.

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