Solenopsis geminata - tropical fire ant
Solenopsis invicta, the red imported fire ant, major worker.

Texas, USA
An Ant-Decapitating Fly (Phoridae, Pseudacteon sp.) attempts to separate a fire ant (Solenopsis macdonaghi) from her nestmates. Lone ants make easier targets.  

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Solenopsis macdonaghi fire ants attacked by a Pseudacteon ant-decapitating fly.  

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Solenopsis geminata is a seed harvesting ant, and major workers have massive heads for powering the blunt seed-milling mandibles.

Durban, South Africa
Solenopsis invicta

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta, young alate queen in the nest.

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis invicta fire ant

Austin, Texas, USA
Solenopsis macdonaghi fire ants attacked by a Pseudacteon ant-decapitating fly.

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Solenopsis macdonaghi fire ants attacked by a Pseudacteon ant-decapitating fly.  

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
Solenopsis macdonaghi fire ants attacked by a Pseudacteon ant-decapitating fly.

Parque Nacional El Palmar, Entre Rios, Argentina
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013