A young queen harvester ant (Aphaenogaster albisetosa) emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A young Camponotus festinatus queen scales a grass blade to launch herself on a nocturnal mating flight.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
A Trachymyrmex septentrionalis male ascends a leaf to embark on an afternoon mating flight in the Florida sand scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A Trachymyrmex septentrionalis male ascends a leaf to embark on an afternoon mating flight in the Florida sand scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A young Camponotus festinatus queen scales a grass blade to launch herself on a nocturnal mating flight.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
A Trachymyrmex septentrionalis male ascends a leaf to embark on an afternoon mating flight in the Florida sand scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A young Camponotus festinatus queen scales the vegetation around her nest to launch herself on a nocturnal mating flight.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
A young Camponotus festinatus queen scales a grass blade to launch herself on a nocturnal mating flight.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
A young queen harvester ant (Aphaenogaster albisetosa) emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A young queen harvester ant (Aphaenogaster albisetosa) emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA
A young queen harvester ant (Aphaenogaster albisetosa) emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight.

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