Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Hypoponera worker carrying a larva in the nest.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Hypoponera opacior worker with pupa.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
Hypoponera opacior, worker and ergatoid male.  Most ant males are wasp-like and winged, adapted for dispersing away from their home nest to mate with queens from other colonies.  But some Hypoponera males are inbreeding specialists.  These pale creatures are worker-like in appearance and mate with their sisters in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Hypoponera opacior, worker and ergatoid male.  Most ant males are wasp-like and winged, adapted for dispersing away from their home nest to mate with queens from other colonies.  But some Hypoponera males are inbreeding specialists.  These pale creatures are worker-like in appearance and mate with their sisters in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Hypoponera opacior ergatoid male.  Most ant males are wasp-like and winged, adapted for dispersing away from their home nest to mate with queens from other colonies.  But some Hypoponera males like the one shown here are inbreeding specialists.  These pale creatures are worker-like in appearance and mate with their sisters in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Hypoponera worker carrying a larva in the nest.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia
Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Hypoponera workers follow each other through a rotting log.

Kibale forest, Uganda
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013