Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate.  This species flies during the Arizona summer monsoon season, early in the morning after a soaking rain.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Lasius umbratus

South Bristol, New York, USA
A Labidus praedator soldier rears up at the photographer.

Gamboa, Panama
Labidus praedator.  Army ant workers vary considerably in size.

Gamboa, Panama
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius maccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius maccooki in the Sonoran desert.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Eciton burchelli army ants.  These large, predaceous ants are ubiquitous in the rainforests of Central and South America.


Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences
Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate.  

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate. This species flies during the Arizona summer monsoon season, early in the morning after a soaking rain.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate.  This species flies during the Arizona summer monsoon season, early in the morning after a soaking rain.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Male leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex versicolor) lek above the desert floor, awaiting virgin queens who fly into the swarm to mate. This species flies during the Arizona summer monsoon season, early in the morning after a soaking rain.

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