Wasmannia auropunctata

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Male and female Forelius mccooki in the nest.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Forelius mccooki workers taking nectar from a Cholla cactus in the Sonoran desert.  Cacti provide nectar to attract ants, as some ant species help the plant by removing herbivorous insects.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Forelius mccooki workers taking nectar from a Cholla cactus in the Sonoran desert.  Cacti provide nectar to attract ants, as some ant species help the plant by removing herbivorous insects.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Forelius mccooki male and worker ants gathering at the nest entrance prior to a mating flight.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius maccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius maccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

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