Several species of arboreal plants, including orchids, bromeliads, and cacti, live together in an "ant garden" tended by fierce Azteca ants. The ants construct a carton matrix to house the plants' roots and their own brood. Barton Creek, Cayo District, Belize.
Worker ants rush out to defend their colony after the photographer disturbed their ant garden nest. Azteca is a notoriously pugnacious ant genus. Barton Creek, Cayo District, Belize.
Roots of an ant-garden orchid grow into the carton matrix created by Azteca ants. Barton Creek, Cayo District, Belize.
