Formica subsericea, the silky field ant, is one of the most common insects in eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Eciton hamatum army ant soldier. This portrait is a composite of 32 photographs taken at different focal depths and stacked to produce an artificially sharp image. 

Armenia, Belize
Eciton hamatum army ant soldier. This portrait is a composite of 32 photographs taken at different focal depths and stacked to produce an artificially sharp image. 

Armenia, Belize
Odontomachus rixosus trap-jaw ant with mandibles in the open (top) and closed (bottom) positions. 

Cambodia (laboratory colony at the University of Illinois)
Odontomachus rixosus

Cambodia (laboratory colony at the University of Illinois)
Odontomachus rixosus trap-jaw ant with mandibles in the open position. Note the forward-facing trigger hairs.

Cambodia (laboratory colony at the University of Illinois)
Odontomachus rixosus trap-jaw ant with mandibles in the open (top) and closed (bottom) positions. 

Cambodia (laboratory colony at the University of Illinois)
Odontomachus rixosus trap-jaw ant with mandibles in the closed position.

Cambodia (laboratory colony at the University of Illinois)
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
Formica subsericea, the silky field ant, is one of the most common insects in eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Formica subsericea, the silky field ant, is one of the most common insects in eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Formica subsericea, the silky field ant, is one of the most common insects in eastern North America.

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