Pheidole metallescens major worker.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Pheidole metallescens major worker.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Pheidole metallescens, minor and major workers.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
A soldier Cephalotes porrasi turtle ant.

Armenia, Belize
Eciton hamatum army ant soldier. This portrait is a composite of 64 photographs taken at different focal depths and stacked to produce an artificially sharp image. The unusual single-lens eyes are unique to this genus and may be the result of re-evolved vision from blind ancestors.

Armenia, Belize
Pheidole cephalica - major worker. This distinctive species is one of Central America's largest Pheidole.

Armenia, Belize
A soldier Cephalotes porrasi turtle ant.

Armenia, Belize
Turtle ant species with well-developed head discs (like this Cephaloted porrasi) are picky about nest sites, preferring cavities with just the right size entrances to fit a single head as a living door.

Armenia, Belize
Pheidole desertorum - major worker

Mojave Desert, California, USA
Pheidole metallescens major worker.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Pheidole metallescens major worker.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Pheidole metallescens major worker.

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