Her nest disturbed by the photographer, a Dolichoderus attelaboides worker stands guard.

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

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Linepithema iniquum ranges from central America to northern Argentina and is recognized by the distinct "step" in its thoracic profile.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Linepithema micans

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
An Azteca guard in her natural habitat: embedded aggressively in a myrmecologist's skin.

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ants have trash workers, too! Here, a Dorymyrmex brunneus sanitation worker carries the empty carcass of a consumed prey insect out to the colony's midden pile.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Azteca

Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013