Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) worker carrying a cocoon.

Kibale forest, Uganda
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
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
Amblyopone australis, cocoons and adults in the brood nest. Many species in the ancient ant subfamily Amblyoponinae have the characteristically yellow cocoons.

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
Amblyopone australis, cocoons and adults in the brood nest. Many species in the ancient ant subfamily Amblyoponinae have the characteristically yellow cocoons.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
An inchworm (Geometridae) bears the burden of parasitic wasps (Braconidae: Microgastrinae) that have consumed its tissues and are pupating on its back.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Camponotus castaneus minor worker in the brood nest.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Brachymyrmex patagonicus with pupae in the brood nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) worker carrying a cocoon.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) worker carrying a cocoon.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Pachycondyla (Bothroponera) worker carrying a cocoon.

Kibale forest, Uganda
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013