Camponotus papago, alate queen

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus major worker, showing the enlarged head she uses for plugging the nest entrance.

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus, major and minor workers

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus papago, alate queen

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus major worker, showing the enlarged head she uses for plugging the nest entrance.

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus, major and minor workers

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus papago, alate queen

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA
Ants that nest in trees often have bizarre adaptations for plugging the entrances to their nests. This Camponotus papago queen has a cork-like head that doubles as a door.

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA
Camponotus papago, alate queen

Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus, major and minor workers

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus, major and minor workers

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Camponotus ulcerosus, major and minor workers

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