Iridomyrmex alpinus

Iridomyrmex alpinus is perhaps the most abundant ant at higher elevations in the Australian alps. Mt. Buffalo, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex alpinus

Mature colonies of the alpine ant Iridomyrmex alpinus construct thatch mounds, presumably to help the nest capture and retain heat. Mt. Hotham, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

Plants in windy coastal habitats are more likely to depend on ant pollination than plants in calmer inland habitats. Here, a sea spurge is visited by an Iridomyrmex that nests in the dunes. Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

Plants in windy coastal habitats are more likely to depend on ant pollination than plants in calmer inland habitats. Here, a beach euphorb is visited by an Iridomyrmex that nests in the dunes. Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

Polydomous ants- those whose colonies sprawl across multiple nest sites- are often seeing ferrying brood among nests. Here, a worker departs one nest with a cluster of eggs. Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

"Iridomyrmex" means "rainbow ant," for the obvious iridescence. Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

Workers carry a queen larva in the nest. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex bicknelli

Iridomyrmex bicknelli is among the most common ants in Australia. This small, iridescent ant is abundant in both urban and natural environments. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Mottled-head Gum-leafhopper - Eurymeloides punctata - with Iridomyrmex bicknelli

An aggregation of immature leafhoppers on Eucalyptus receive attention from an Iridomyrmex ant. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex calvus

Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex calvus

Male (winged, left) and worker ants scale vegetation near their nest during a mid-day mating flight. Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex calvus

Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex calvus

An ant from a competing colony does not pass the smell test and is quickly dispatched. Tower Hill Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Iridomyrmex dromus

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex dromus

A nest maintenance worker carries a pebble near the nest entrance. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex dromus

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

An Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ant forager explores an Amyema mistletoe. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

Meat ants mill about their nest entrance. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

Portrait of a meat ant. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

Meat ants make large and conspicuous nests. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus - meat ant

Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants are aggressive in defense of their colonies. Here, a guard ant attempts to take down the photographer. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

Iridomyrmex purpureus meat ants. These common insects make characteristic pebbly clearings around their nests. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Iridomyrmex purpureus

A nest of meat ants. Yandoit, Victoria, Australia