Army ant colonies typically contain workers of many sizes, each specialized for a different task.  Here a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii worker stands guard over a passing column. 

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests.  The leafcutters are not without their defenses.  Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii, carrying a larva.  The bright red color indicates a relatively young age for this worker. Gamboa, Panama.

filename: Nomamyrmex1
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii

Gamboa, Panama
Army ant colonies typically contain workers of many sizes, each specialized for a different task.  Here a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii worker stands guard over a passing column. 

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests.  The leafcutters are not without their defenses.  Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests.  The leafcutters are not without their defenses.  Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii. A busy trail in a Panamanian rainforest.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests. The leafcutters are not without their defenses. Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests.  The leafcutters are not without their defenses.  Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
Nomamyrmex army ants are among the few animals that successfully attack leafcutter ant nests. The leafcutters are not without their defenses. Here two Atta workers attack and kill a Nomamyrmex esenbeckii scout, preventing the army ants from discovering the leafcutter's trail.

Gamboa, Panama
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013