Melissotarsus weissi, queen (right) and worker.

Kibale Forest, Uganda
Melissotarsus weissi, queen (right) and worker.

Kibale Forest, Uganda
Procryptocerus hylaeus, worker (left) and queen.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Procryptocerus hylaeus, worker (left) and queen.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Procryptocerus hylaeus, worker (left) and queen.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Proatta butteli queen and worker

Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo
Cephalotes varians turtle ants. To enter her nest in a mangrove twig, a foraging worker must pass the door-guarding soldier whose head is roughly the same size and shape as the entrance. These ants don't build the nests themselves; rather, they inhabit burrows made by beetle larvae.

Florida Keys, USA
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Monomorium sydneyense queen and workers in the nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013