The best mimic spiders are good enough to be identified as particular ant species. This jumping spider is a convincing Pseudomyrmex twig ant mimic. Note how the spider fakes a "neck" with a ring of white hairs. 

Armenia, Belize
The best mimic spiders are good enough to be identified as particular ant species. This jumping spider is a convincing Pseudomyrmex twig ant mimic. Note how the spider fakes a "neck" with a ring of white hairs. 

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex peperi is an obligate Acacia inhabitant that zealously protects its host from intruding herbivores and aggressive vines. Here, workers cut a tendril that touched their tree. 

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex peperi is an obligate Acacia inhabitant. Here, a worker gathers a lipid-rich Beltian body from a leaf tip. The plant feeds the ants in exchange for protection from herbivores and competing plants.

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex peperi is an obligate Acacia inhabitant that zealously protects its host from intruding herbivores and aggressive vines. Here, workers cut a tendril that touched their tree. 

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex peperi is an obligate Acacia inhabitant. Here, a worker gathers a lipid-rich Beltian body from a leaf tip. The plant feeds the ants in exchange for protection from herbivores and competing plants.

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex peperi is an obligate Acacia inhabitant that zealously protects its host from intruding herbivores and aggressive vines. Here, workers attempt to remove vine that has come into contact with their tree.

Armenia, Belize
Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a large, active, and alert ant found from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a large, active, and alert ant found from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a large, active, and alert ant found from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a large, active, and alert ant found from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Pseudomyrmex gracilis is a large, active, and alert ant found from the southern United States to northern Argentina.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013