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
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
A disorderly pile of dirt marks the entrance of a small Meranoplus ant nest.

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013