A nest of the miniature predator Pyramica rostrata in an Illinois forest.  Notice how the ants have enclosed their space by building a circular wall around the colony.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Strumigenys rostrata workers with larvae in the brood nest.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Strumigenys rogeri, an African species of miniature trap-jaw ant that has spread around the world with human commerce.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Strumigenys louisianae is a tiny trap-jaw ant that has traveled around the world with human commerce.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Strumigenys emmae.  This species has travelled around the world with human commerce.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Strumigenys membranifera is a cryptic ant from the old world tropics that has spread across the globe with human trade.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Strumigenys membranifera is a cryptic ant from the old world tropics that has spread across the globe with human trade.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Strumigenys eggersi

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Strumigenys eggersi worker foraging through the leaf litter.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Strumigenys rostrata workers with larvae in the brood nest.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Strumigenys rostrata workers with larvae in the brood nest.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Strumigenys rostrata workers with larvae in the brood nest.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013