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Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers. Pheidologeton has one of the most pronounced size differences among nestmate workers of any ant. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Worker polymorphism in the marauder ant Pheidologeton affinis. Pictured here is a single supermajor worker, two major workers, and full complement of minor workers. These insects are all sisters and are essentially genetically identical, their different morphologies a result of developmental plasticity. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis supermajor and minor workers. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis supermajor and minor workers. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis marauder ants have one of the largest size disparities between the largest and smallest worker ants in a colony. Here a supermajor uses her massive jaws to cut through tree bark while minor workers stand by. The ants have discovered beetle larvae- a favored prey item- underneath the bark. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers. Pheidologeton has one of the most pronounced size differences among nestmate workers of any ant. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis marauder ants have one of the largest size disparities between the largest and smallest worker ants in a colony. Here a supermajor uses her massive jaws to cut through tree bark while minor workers stand by. The ants have discovered beetle larvae- a favored prey item- underneath the bark. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them.

Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them. Rossville, Queensland, Australia
Pheidologeton affinis, supermajor and minor workers attacking a beetle grub. Supermajors have powerful mandibles useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items. The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag this very large beetle larva across the substrate while I photographed them.

Rossville, Queensland, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013