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A long-dead carcass of a Polyrhachis militaris spiny ant gathers moss on a tree trunk. Kibale forest, Uganda
A long-dead carcass of a Polyrhachis militaris spiny ant gathers moss on a tree trunk. Kibale forest, Uganda
The sucked-dry body of a carpenter ant hangs from a spider's web. Urbana, Illinois, USA
Harvester ants (Aphaenogaster cockerelli) tear apart a queen leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex versicolor) they have caught after a leafcutter mating flight. Ants won't often eat members of their own species, but they will happily consume ants of other species. Tucson, Arizona, USA
The most risky phase in the life history of an ant colony is during founding, when young females set off to start new colonies. The vast majority perish at this stage. This queen carpenter ant (Camponotus modoc has been attacked and killed by a fungus, whose white hyphae are seen emerging from the carcass. Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA
Life is perilous for young queens. This fire ant queen (Solenopsis invicta) is being pursued by native Forelius ants, as she would make an excellent source of protein to feed the Forelius larvae. She frantically climbs a grass blade to escape, but to no avail. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages. As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests. Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
Harvester ants (Aphaenogaster cockerelli) tear apart a queen leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex versicolor) they have caught after a leafcutter mating flight. Ants won't often eat members of their own species, but they will happily consume ants of other species. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Harvester ants (Aphaenogaster cockerelli) tear apart a queen leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex versicolor) they have caught after a leafcutter mating flight. Ants won't often eat members of their own species, but they will happily consume ants of other species. Tucson, Arizona, USA
A long-dead carcass of a Polyrhachis militaris spiny ant gathers moss on a tree trunk.

Kibale forest, Uganda
A long-dead carcass of a Polyrhachis militaris spiny ant gathers moss on a tree trunk. Kibale forest, Uganda
A long-dead carcass of a Polyrhachis militaris spiny ant gathers moss on a tree trunk.

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