Mischocyttarus paper wasp on her nest. The long stalk helps protect the nest from ants.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
The intricate galleries in this underground nest of Lasius umbratus ants are made possible by a fungus that grows within a matrix of wood pulp sculpted by the ants.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Myrmecocystus tenuinodis, a small honeypot species that lives in sand dunes and is active in the mornings.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Myrmecocystus honeypot ant species come in three basic color patterns, depending on the time of day that they forage.  The orange/yellow species such as this M. navajo are nocturnal.  These ants were photographed leaving their nest entrance to forage shortly after dusk.

Willcox, Arizona, USA
Trachymyrmex turrifex, nest entrance.

Austin, Texas, USA
Pogonomyrmex badius, the Florida harvester ant

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Mischocyttarus paper wasp on her nest. The long stalk helps protect the nest from ants.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Mischocyttarus paper wasp on her nest. The long stalk helps protect the nest from ants.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Mischocyttarus paper wasp on her nest. The long stalk helps protect the nest from ants.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013