A mixed colony of a socially parasitic ant (Dorymyrmex reginicula, brown), and its host (Dorymyrmex elegans, yellow).  Workers of the two species coexist in a single nest for a period after the parasite queen has assumed reproduction and before the last remaining host workers die off. 

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, 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 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
Protomognathus americanus, an acorn slave-raiding ant.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Formica argentea (the silver/grey ant) is a frequent host species for the 'slave-raiding' ant Polyergus breviceps (red). Here, I have disturbed a hibernating nest in early spring. The red Polyergus are slow to wake, but their skittish captives are active earlier in the season and come to life.

Sagehen Creek Field Station, California, 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