Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded.  Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.  

Chiriqui, Panama.
Friend or Foe? Two Pseudomyrmex spinicola acacia ant nestmates evaluate each other at the nest entrance. 

Panama City, Panama
Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded.  Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.  

Chiriqui, Panama.
Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded.  Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.  

Chiriqui, Panama.
Friend or Foe? Two Pseudomyrmex spinicola acacia ant nestmates evaluate each other at the nest entrance. 

Panama City, Panama
Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded. Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.

Chiriqui, Panama.
Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded.  Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.  

Chiriqui, Panama.
Not all of the thorns on a swollen-thorn Acacia house the ants' larvae, but those that do are heavily guarded. Here, Pseudomyrmex spinicola patrol a nest entrance, ready to use their stings if the photographer approaches too close.

Chiriqui, Panama.
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013