Stigmatomma ferruginea (left) & Rhytidoponera victoriae, fighting.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The worst enemies of ants are often other ants. Here, a Rhytidoponera victoriae scout (at left) has discovered an Stigmatomma ferruginea worker and attempts to wrestle it back to her nest. If successful, she will kill the Stigmatomma and feed her to the larvae. Stigmatomma is too specialized as an underground predator to be good at general fighting, so is at a disadvantage here.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The worst enemies of ants are often other ants. Here, a Rhytidoponera victoriae scout (at left) has discovered an Stigmatomma ferruginea worker and attempts to wrestle it back to her nest. If successful, she will kill the Stigmatomma and feed her to the larvae. Stigmatomma is too specialized as an underground predator to be good at general fighting, so is at a disadvantage here.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
A pile of Rhytidoponera victoriae pupae in the brood nest. The silken cocoons protect the pupae from desiccation, among other threats.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
A pile of Rhytidoponera victoriae pupae in the brood nest. The silken cocoons protect the pupae from desiccation, among other threats.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The beautiful Rhytidoponera aspersa.

Bright, Victoria, Australia
The beautiful Rhytidoponera aspersa.

Bright, Victoria, Australia
Stigmatomma ferruginea (left) & Rhytidoponera victoriae, fighting.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The worst enemies of ants are often other ants. Here, a Rhytidoponera victoriae scout (at left) has discovered an Stigmatomma ferruginea worker and attempts to wrestle it back to her nest. If successful, she will kill the Stigmatomma and feed her to the larvae. Stigmatomma is too specialized as an underground predator to be good at general fighting, so is at a disadvantage here.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
The beautiful Rhytidoponera aspersa.

Bright, Victoria, Australia
The beautiful Rhytidoponera aspersa.

Bright, Victoria, Australia
The beautiful Rhytidoponera aspersa.

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