Socially parasitic ants are usually discernable by their relatively small queens, as ants that start new colonies by infiltrating existing nests do not need large body reserves.  The queen of Aphaenogaster tennesseensis- a temporary nest-founding parasite of several other woodland Aphaenogaster- is scarcely larger than her own workers.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Camponotus (Colobopsis) impressus with a pupa. Note the differences in size and shape between major and minor workers.

Laboratory colony at the University of Central Florida, USA
Pheidole morrisi is a common soil-nesting ant in sandy habitats in southeastern North America. This photo shows a major (left) and minor worker from the same colony.

Orlando, Florida, USA
Camponotus (Colobopsis) impressus with a pupa. Note the differences in size and shape between major and minor workers.

Laboratory colony at the University of Central Florida, USA
Pheidole morrisi is a common soil-nesting ant in sandy habitats in southeastern North America. This photo shows a major (left) and minor worker from the same colony.

Orlando, Florida, USA
Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Doleromyrma darwiniana queen in the nest. If you look closely, you should be able to see small mites on her body.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Unrolling a leaf nest of a small weaver ant Polyrhachis (Cyrtomyrma) robsoni reveals a queen.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013