Forelius breviscapus
Forelius breviscapus workers active at the nest entrance. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Forelius damaini
Gathering nectar from a coral vine flower (Antigonon leptopus). Austin, Texas, USA.
Tiny Forelius ants gather nectar from a coral vine flower (Antigonon leptopus). Austin, Texas, USA.
Forelius damiani
This small, easily-overlooked dolichoderine species occurs from Texas south through Central America to Colombia. Austin, Texas, USA.
Ants engage in trophallaxis along a busy foraging trail. Austin, Texas, USA.
Feasting on the bounty of a bird dropping. Austin, Texas, USA.
Forelius grandis
A nest of Forelius grandis. Amaicha del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina
A Forelius grandis worker carries a stone excavated from her nest. Amaicha del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina
Forelius mccooki
Forelius mccooki workers taking nectar from a Cholla cactus in the Sonoran desert. Cacti provide nectar to attract ants, as some ant species help the plant by removing herbivorous insects. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Green Valley, Arizona, USA
Male and female Forelius mccooki in the nest. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Early morning sun catches a mating flight of Forelius mccooki in the Sonoran desert. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Male and worker ants gathering at the nest entrance prior to a mating flight. Tucson, Arizona, USA
A harvester ant (Pogonomyrmex desertorum) wanders too close to a nest of little Forelius mccooki ants, who harass the intruder until she leaves. Tucson, Arizona, USA
Forelius nigriventris & Solenopsis invicta
Forelius nigriventris and Solenopsis invicta. When Forelius gain access to a breach in a fire ant mound, a full-scale ant battle ensues. Here, a fire ant (at left) flicks a droplet of venom towards the Forelius aggressor. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Forelius nigriventris
A juxtaposition of two very different defensive strategies. The fire ant (at right) brandishes her venom on the tip of her stinger, while the opposing Forelius worker aims hers as a volatile spray. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Forelius nigriventris and Solenopsis invicta. A juxtaposition of two very different defensive strategies. The fire ant (at right) brandishes her venom on the tip of her stinger, while the opposing Forelius worker aims hers as a volatile spray. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Her nest breached by attacking Forelius nigriventris (at right), a fire ant adopts typical defensive position: stinger raised and exuding a droplet of volatile venom. Santiago del Estero, Argentina
Forelius nigriventris attacking a fire ant worker (Solenopsis invicta). Santiago del Estero, Argentina