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Formica incerta field ant (left) with a social parasite, the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidus. East Brooklyn, Illinois, USA
Formica incerta field ant (left) with a social parasite, the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidus. East Brooklyn, Illinois, USA
Polyergus lucidus East Brooklyn, Illinois, 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
Polyergus montivagus Champaign, Illinois, USA
Polyergus montivagus. The sickle-shaped mandibles are ideal for fighting with other ants. Champaign, Illinois, USA
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
A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker. Sagehen Creek, California, USA
A dulotic colony of the slave-raiding ant Polyergus breviceps and its host, the silver field ant Formica argentea. California, USA
Formica incerta field ant (left) with a social parasite, the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidus.

East Brooklyn, Illinois, USA
Formica incerta field ant (left) with a social parasite, the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidus. East Brooklyn, Illinois, USA
Formica incerta field ant (left) with a social parasite, the slave-raiding ant Polyergus lucidus.

East Brooklyn, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013