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alexwild > Formica argentea (the silver/grey ant) is a frequent host species for the 'slave-raiding' ant Polyergus breviceps (red). Here, I have disturbed a hibernating nest in early spring. The red Polyergus are slow to wake, but their skittish captives are active earlier in the season and come to life. Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA
alexwild > Polyergus montivagus Champaign, Illinois, USA
alexwild > Polyergus montivagus. The sickle-shaped mandibles are ideal for fighting with other ants. Champaign, Illinois, USA
alexwild > Polyergus sp. nr. breviceps. The ant fauna in North America is still poorly enough studied that dozens of species have yet to receive a formal scientific name. This slave-raiding ant is one of them. It is a parasite of the common field ant Formica subsericea in the midwest. Champaign, Illinois, USA
alexwild > A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker. Sagehen Creek, California, USA
alexwild > A dulotic colony of the slave-raiding ant Polyergus breviceps and its host, the silver field ant Formica argentea. Champaign, Illinois, USA
alexwild > Polyergus breviceps slave-raiding ant with its Formica argentea host. Notice the difference in mandible shape in the two species- the sharp tines in the slave-raider for fighting, and the broad working mandibles in the host. Sagehen Creek, California, USA
alexwild > Polyergus montivagus Champaign, Illinois, USA
alexwild > A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker. Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica argentea (the silver/grey ant) is a frequent host species for the 'slave-raiding' ant Polyergus breviceps (red). Here, I have disturbed a hibernating nest in early spring. The red Polyergus are slow to wake, but their skittish captives are active earlier in the season and come to life.

Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA
alexwild > Formica argentea (the silver/grey ant) is a frequent host species for the 'slave-raiding' ant Polyergus breviceps (red). Here, I have disturbed a hibernating nest in early spring. The red Polyergus are slow to wake, but their skittish captives are active earlier in the season and come to life. Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA
Formica argentea (the silver/grey ant) is a frequent host species for the 'slave-raiding' ant Polyergus breviceps (red). Here, I have disturbed a hibernating nest in early spring. The red Polyergus are slow to wake, but their skittish captives are active earlier in the season and come to life.

Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, USA
See photo in original gallery.
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insect pictures, insect images, insect photos, insect photography, ant images, bug pictures, bug photographs, insect identification, ant pictures