Portrait of a Camponotus sericeiventris soldier, one of the most recognizable ants in Central and South America. This species is a tree-dwelling insect that, remarkably, can glide back to a trunk when dislodged, steering with her flattened, aerodynamic legs.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The golden carpenter ant Camponotus sericeiventris is among the largest and most colorful neotropical ant species. 

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Portrait of Camponotus sericeiventris, one of the most recognizable ants in Central and South America. This species is a tree-dwelling insect that, remarkably, can glide back to a trunk when dislodged, steering with her flattened, aerodynamic legs.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Camponotus sericeiventris - golden carpenter ant.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The golden carpenter ant Camponotus sericeiventris is among the largest and most colorful neotropical ant species. 

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Portrait of a Camponotus sericeiventris soldier, one of the most recognizable ants in Central and South America. This species is a tree-dwelling insect that, remarkably, can glide back to a trunk when dislodged, steering with her flattened, aerodynamic legs.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Portrait of a Camponotus sericeiventris soldier, one of the most recognizable ants in Central and South America. This species is a tree-dwelling insect that, remarkably, can glide back to a trunk when dislodged, steering with her flattened, aerodynamic legs.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Portrait of a Camponotus sericeiventris soldier, one of the most recognizable ants in Central and South America. This species is a tree-dwelling insect that, remarkably, can glide back to a trunk when dislodged, steering with her flattened, aerodynamic legs.

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