A pile of Rhytidoponera victoriae pupae in the brood nest. The silken cocoons protect the pupae from desiccation, among other threats.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana worker tending to developing larvae.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana worker tending to developing larvae.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus suffusus carrying a pupae through their colony's underground galleries.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus suffusus carrying a pupae through their colony's underground galleries.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus suffusus carrying a pupae through their colony's underground galleries.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus workers tend to eggs deep in the nest.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
A pile of Rhytidoponera victoriae pupae in the brood nest. The silken cocoons protect the pupae from desiccation, among other threats.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Polyrhachis (Campomyrma) worker carries a cocoon to safety.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana worker tending to developing larvae.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana worker tending to developing larvae.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana worker tending to developing larvae.

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