Lasius neoniger nests are often marked by a pile of excavated soil.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Lasius neoniger nests are often marked by a pile of excavated soil.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
A fisheye view of a Lasius neoniger nest showing the characteristic circular pile of excavated soil.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Brian Fisher (California Academy of Sciences) digs a trench to search for rare soil-dwelling ants at Ant Course 2012 in Uganda.
Myrmicaria natalensis keeps well-maintained trails among nests.

Kibale forest, Uganda
A disorderly pile of dirt marks the entrance of a small Meranoplus ant nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
A disorderly pile of dirt marks the entrance of a small Meranoplus ant nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Solenopsis pergandei is a subterranean ant found in sandy soils throughout the southeastern United States.  These tiny insects are scarcely larger than the sand grains that surround them.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Solenopsis pergandei is a subterranean ant found in sandy soils throughout the southeastern United States. These tiny insects are scarcely larger than the sand grains that surround them.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Solenopsis pergandei is a subterranean ant found in sandy soils throughout the southeastern United States.  These tiny insects are scarcely larger than the sand grains that surround them.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Solenopsis pergandei is a subterranean ant found in sandy soils throughout the southeastern United States. These tiny insects are scarcely larger than the sand grains that surround them.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013