A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Brachymyrmex depilis, winged queen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A young Solenopsis xyloni queen prepares to take flight.

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex barbatus alate queen.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
Pogonomyrmex barbatus alate queen.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA
A young queen harvester ant (Aphaenogaster albisetosa) emerges from the nest on the morning of her mating flight.

Green Valley, Arizona, USA
Aphaenogaster cockerelli alate queen.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
Proceratium silaceum alate queen.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Proceratium silaceum alate queen.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Proceratium silaceum alate queen.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
Proceratium silaceum alate queen.

Vermillion River Observatory, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013