This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages.  As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages.  As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages. As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages.  As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
This worker honeypot ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus) is slowly being consumed from within by a fungus, visible here as growths extruding from the body and appendages. As soil-dwelling creatures, ants are in constant battle against microbes that thrive in the warm, humid conditions of their nests.

Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013