Camponotus pennsylvanicus - eastern black carpenter ant (queen)
Solenopsis invicta - red imported fire ant (queen and workers)
Formica fusca alate female and worker.

South Bristol, New York, USA
A young Myrmica queen searches for a nesting site following her mating flight.

Clinton Lake Recreation Area, Illinois, USA
A young Lasius (Acanthomyops) interjectus queen climbs vegetation to help launch herself on a mating flight. This species is a social parasite, and following her flight this queen will infiltrate the nest of another Lasius species and attempt to usurp the resident queen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Lasius (Acanthomyops) interjectus queen climbs vegetation to help launch herself on a mating flight. This species is a social parasite, and following her flight this queen will infiltrate the nest of another Lasius species and attempt to usurp the resident queen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Lasius neoniger queen pauses for a rest while she searches for a suitable nesting site after her mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Myrmica queen searches for a nesting site following her mating flight.

Clinton Lake Recreation Area, Illinois, USA
Formica fusca alate female and worker.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Formica fusca alate female and worker.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Formica fusca alate female and worker.

South Bristol, New York, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013