Acropyga acutiventris
An Australian root aphid ant. The small eyes, compact body, and yellow coloration are traits typical of subterranean ants. Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
An Acropyga acutiventris worker ant pulls a cocoon to safety after the photographer disturbs her nest. Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia
Iron Range National Park, Queensland, Australia
Acropyga epedana
Acropyga epedana is the single species in the genus found in the United States. Portal, Arizona, USA
Mating Acropyga epedana ants, the queen carrying a mealybug in her mandibles. Acropyga live nearly entirely by consuming secretions of root-feeding mealybugs, and the mealybugs depend on the ants for dispersal and protection. When young queen ants leave the nest to mate and start new colonies, they take a mealybug with them. Portal, Arizona, USA
Acropyga goeldii
A nearly blind Acropyga goeldii worker ant tends to root-feeding mealybugs in an underground chamber. The ants depend on their hemipteran "cattle" for food, while the mealybugs are kept safe from predators and carried to new roots by their ant guards. Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Acropyga goeldii worker & alate queen. Workers are nearly blind, but queens have eyes to help navigate during their brief flight to start a new colony. Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
An Acropyga goeldii worker carries a mealybug. Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Acropyga goeldii ants are so dependent on their mealybug associates that young queens must carry a bug with them on their dispersal flights to successfully start a new colony. Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
