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Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Stigmacros worker ant with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Worker polymorphism in the marauder ant Pheidologeton affinis. Pictured here is a single supermajor worker, two major workers, and full complement of minor workers. These insects are all sisters and are essentially genetically identical, their different morphologies a result of developmental plasticity. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis supermajor and minor workers. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis supermajor and minor workers. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest.

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