Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
The prickly little beast on the right is a millipede in the genus Polyxenus.  I found several of these living in the brood nest of a Temnothorax rugatulus ant, where they were probably scavenging on the ant's refuse. 

Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA
The prickly little beast on the right is a millipede in the genus Polyxenus.  I found several of these living in the brood nest of a Temnothorax rugatulus ant, where they were probably scavenging on the ant's refuse. 

Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. 

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus. Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus.  Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

Tucson, Arizona, USA
Temnothorax rugatulus. Ants in this laboratory nest are individually marked with dabs of paint to help researchers at the University of Arizona track their activities. As Temnothorax are hardy ants that adapt well to the laboratory, they are frequently used for studies of ant behavior.

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