Brute force versus chemical weaponry: the heavily armored Podomyrma gratiosa dispatches small Crematogaster with her powerful mandibles, but the smaller ants use strong defensive chemicals in return, coating their adversary with a thick acrid foam exuded from their abdomens. Naracoorte, South Australia
Life is tough for young ant queens. This Podomyrma (large, red) has survived an assault by Polyrachis ants but is missing an antenna, part of a leg, and carries the attached carcass of one of her attackers around like a war trophy. Yarra Ranges National Park, Victoria, Australia.
Pogonomyrmex maricopa and Novomessor albisetosa workers, fighting. Resources are scarce in the desert and competition among ants is fierce, leading to frequent conflicts. Green Valley, Arizona, USA
