Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony.  This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Myrmecina americana, young queen with worker.

South Bristol, New York, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony. This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony.  This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
Formica ravida alate queen searching for a potential host colony. This species is parasitic in the colony-founding stage, as newly-mated queens enter nests of other Formica species, kill the resident queen, and usurp the colony.

California, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013