Myrmecia pilosula, the jack jumper ant, is noted for its sting. A higher percentage of people (3%) are at risk of life-threatening allergic response to a jack-jumper sting than that of any other insect.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
Myrmecia nigrceps, the black-headed bull ant. The large eyes of these insects bestow excellent vision for an ant.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus consobrinus, the banded sugar ant, so-named for the yellow "belt" across its waist.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
A small parasitic wasp (Proctotrupidae: Brachyserphus sp.) launches herself into the air. This species attacks nitidulid beetles.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Camponotus consobrinus, the banded sugar ant, so-named for the yellow "belt" across its waist.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Portrait of Camponotus suffusus, a common and rather variable species in southeastern Australia.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
A male Leptopilina boulardi (Figitidae) lifts his wings in preparation for flight.

Laboratory culture at Emory University, Georgia, USA
Leptopilina boulardi (Figitidae) is a parasitoid wasp that attacks the larvae of drosophilid fruit flies. Here, a female probes a rotting banana with her ovipositor.

Laboratory culture at Emory University, Georgia, USA
Leptopilina boulardi (Figitidae) is a parasitoid wasp that attacks the larvae of drosophilid fruit flies. Here, a female probes a rotting banana with her ovipositor.

Laboratory culture at Emory University, Georgia, USA
Camponotus consobrinus, the banded sugar ant, so-named for the yellow "belt" across its waist.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus consobrinus, the banded sugar ant, so-named for the yellow "belt" across its waist.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Camponotus consobrinus, the banded sugar ant, so-named for the yellow "belt" across its waist.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013