Workers tend to a queen in a laboratory colony of Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile).

California, USA
Queen leafcutter ants (Atta cephalotes) are often so heavily attended by workers that they are scarcely visible under a mass of little ant bodies. At the top, a soldier stands guard.

Laboratory colony at the University of Wisconsin
A young Myrmica queen searches for a nesting site following her mating flight.

Clinton Lake Recreation Area, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Myrmica queen searches for a nesting site following her mating flight.

Clinton Lake Recreation Area, Illinois, USA
Proatta butteli queen and worker

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Queen ants can usually be distinguished from workers on the basis of their larger size and more complex thoracic structure. (Cerapachys (antennatus-group) species)

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Proatta butteli queen and worker

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013