Crematogaster ashmeadi
Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A small acrobat ant carries a mite she has caught back to her nest. Buffalo, Texas, USA.
Crematogaster carinata
A tropical acrobat ant approaches an aphid. Ants and aphids are often associated in a symbiotic relationship where the aphid provides excess honeydew to the ants in exchange for protection from predators. Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, Peru.
Crematogaster carinata and Dolichoderus debilis
Two Amazonian ant species have overcome stereotypically warlike behavior to live in peaceful coexistence. Crematogaster carinata and Dolichoderus debilis commonly share trails and nest in close proximity. Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata, Peru.
Crematogaster castanea tricolor
Along an arboreal trail in South Africa, Crematogaster castanea tricolor nestmates exchange a bit of food. St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
An arboreal carton nest of Crematogaster castanea tricolor. This nest is about the size of a softball. St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
A basketball-sized carton nest of Crematogaster castanea tricolor in an Acacia tree. St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
These feisty arboreal ants aggressively defend their treetop territories from intruders. This worker ant is biting the hand of the photographer. St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
Crematogaster cerasi
Acrobat ant. Urbana, Illinois, USA
Acrobat ant males emerge from the nest for a mating flight. Urbana, Illinois, USA
An acrobat ant tending oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) on milkweed. Clinton Lake Recreation Area, Illinois, USA
A mating flight of Crematogaster cerasi acrobat ants provides a parasitic Pseudacteon fly (at lower right) an opportunity to attack. Urbana, Illinois, USA
Some plant species attract ants with special nectar-producing glands. It is thought that ants help protect the plant from herbivorous pest insects, so the arrangement is beneficial for both ants and plants. Here, a Crematogaster cerasi forager feeds from a leaf nectary of an Ailanthus tree of paradise. Champaign, Illinois, USA
Acrobat ants scavenge the carcass of a soldier beetle. Urbana, Illinois, USA.
Champaign, Illinois, USA
