Aphaenogaster carolinensis Croatan National Forest, North Carolina, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants. Here, an Aphaenogaster fulva disperses a bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seed. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants. Here, Aphaenogaster disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants. Here, Aphaenogaster fulva disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants. Here, Aphaenogaster fulva disperse bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Some plants have come to rely so heavily on ants to spread their seeds about that they offer the insects a tasty treat in exchange for the dispersal service. Seeds of these species bear a lipid-filled structure called an elaiosome, whose sole function appears to be the attraction of ants. Here, an Aphaenogaster disperses bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) seeds. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Breaking open a rotting log in an eastern deciduous forest reveals a nest of winnow ants, Aphaenogaster fulva. Ants of this genus are among the most abundant woodland ants in the northern hemisphere. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Breaking open a rotting log in an eastern deciduous forest reveals a nest of winnow ants, Aphaenogaster fulva. Ants of this genus are among the most abundant woodland ants in the northern hemisphere. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Worker, queen, and brood of an eastern woodland Aphaenogaster species. South Bristol, New York, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Aphaenogaster fulva workers tending to brood. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Portrait of Aphaenogaster fulva, a common woodland ant of northeastern North America. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Portrait of the eastern woodland Aphaenogaster fulva showing the characteristic narrow waist. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster fulva

Aphaenogaster fulva is part of nature's clean-up crew, combing the forest floor for scavengable food. Here they take care of a cockroach carcass. Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster lamellidens

These Aphaenogaster lamellidens foragers have discovered a live centipede and are attempting to pull it from its burrow. Dixon Springs, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster lamellidens

These Aphaenogaster lamellidens foragers have discovered a live centipede and are attempting to pull it from its burrow. Dixon Springs, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster lamellidens

These Aphaenogaster lamellidens foragers have discovered a live centipede and are attempting to pull it from its burrow. Dixon Springs, Illinois, USA

Aphaenogaster longiceps

Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia

Aphaenogaster longiceps

A nest maintenance worker carries soil excavated from deep within the nest (Aphaenogaster longiceps). Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia