A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Acorn ant workers (Temnothorax curvispinosus) care for brood while the parasites (Protomognathus americanus) sit idly by.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Acorn ant workers (Temnothorax curvispinosus) care for brood while the parasites (Protomognathus americanus) sit idly by.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A slave-raiding queen, Protomognathus americanus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A mixed colony of Protomognathus americanus (the acorn slave-raiding ant, dark brown) and its host, Temnothorax curvispinosus.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013