A myrmecologist sorts through ant specimens collected from a Malaise trap.

Kibale forest, Uganda
A Malaise trap collects insects in an African rainforest. When insects hit the central netting, they fly upwards towards the light and get caught in the sample jar at the top. As not all species are attracted to lights, Malaise traps have been an important general method for sampling winged ants.

Kibale forest, Uganda
A preserved collection of a Leptanilla colony shows a queen (at center) and piles of elongate larvae.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Rodrigo Feitosa, a myrmecologist at São Paulo's Zoology Museum, holds the drawer containing the Martialis heureka holotype specimen.

São Paulo, Brazil
Rodrigo Feitosa, a myrmecologist at São Paulo's Zoology Museum, holds the drawer containing the Martialis heureka holotype specimen.

São Paulo, Brazil
A 13-year periodical cicada, Magicicada sp., from the great southern brood (Brood XIX) that emerged in 2011. The immature forms of these insects live for years in underground burrows drinking liquid from the xylem of tree roots. Adults live only a few weeks.

Allerton Park, Illinois, USA
A pair of Hyalophora cecropia moths mating on the female's empty cocoon.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Dolichoderus attelaboides

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Dolichoderus attelaboides

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Dolichoderus attelaboides

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Dolichoderus attelaboides

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Dolichoderus attelaboides

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013