Forelius pruinosus workers warm themselves on a cool spring morning under a sun-exposed stone. Note the color variation among workers; color is not always a reliable identification character in ants.

Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA
Forelius pruinosus workers warm themselves on a cool spring morning under a sun-exposed stone.

Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA
A soldier Cephalotes porrasi turtle ant seals the nest entrance with her head (left), while one of her sisters passes by. Soldiers act as living doors, allowing only members of their own colonies to pass.

Armenia, Belize
All the immature stages of ant development (eggs, larvae, and pupae) in the brood nest of Nylanderia faisonensis.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Solenopsis carolinensis thief ants. These insects- at 2mm in length- are so small as to be translucent.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Solenopsis carolinensis thief ant queen.

Gaineseville, Florida, USA
Solenopsis carolinensis thief ant queen.

Gaineseville, Florida, USA
Solenopsis carolinensis thief ants. These insects- at 2mm in length- are so small as to be translucent.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Nylanderia faisonensis, worker with larvae in the brood nest.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Forelius pruinosus workers warm themselves on a cool spring morning under a sun-exposed stone. Note the color variation among workers; color is not always a reliable identification character in ants.

Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA
Forelius pruinosus workers warm themselves on a cool spring morning under a sun-exposed stone. Note the color variation among workers; color is not always a reliable identification character in ants.

Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA
Forelius pruinosus workers warm themselves on a cool spring morning under a sun-exposed stone. Note the color variation among workers; color is not always a reliable identification character in ants.

Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013