Dolichoderus lutosus is among the smaller and more commonly encountered members of its genus in South America. Here, workers come and go at the colony's nest entrance.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
A Dolichoderus quadrimaculatus forager gathers the remains of a rainforest katydid killed the preceding night by a rodent, as well as feeding from rodent feces left at the site. Ants provide a full-service waste removal system for many ecosystems.

Jatun Sacha Reserve, Napo, Ecuador
A busy trail of Odorous House Ants, Tapinoma sessile. The trail is maintained by a chemical laid down by ants as they pass.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
An Azteca guard in her natural habitat: embedded aggressively in a myrmecologist's skin.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Linepithema iniquum workers from different colonies fighting.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
The distinctly-patterned Linepithema leucomelas nests at the bases of bromeliads and other epiphytic plants in Brazil's Atlantic forest region.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
A busy trail of Odorous House Ants, Tapinoma sessile. The trail is maintained by a chemical laid down by ants as they pass.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Dolichoderus lutosus is among the smaller and more commonly encountered members of its genus in South America. Here, workers come and go at the colony's nest entrance.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
Dolichoderus lutosus is among the smaller and more commonly encountered members of its genus in South America. Here, workers come and go at the colony's nest entrance.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
Dolichoderus lutosus is among the smaller and more commonly encountered members of its genus in South America. Here, workers come and go at the colony's nest entrance.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013