A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis, queen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Prenolepis imparis, queen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013