Leptomyrmex

is a large, leggy, often colorful genus restricted to eastern Australia, New Guinea, and New Caledonia, with one relictual species in central Brazil. The skittish movements and long legs of these distinctive insects give them the common name "spider ants". Some workers in each nest specialize as living storage containers called repletes, their abdomens greatly distended.

Leptomyrmex burwelli
Leptomyrmex burwelli is one of the smallest Leptomyrmex. species. This individual is a replete, her abdomen swollen with liquid food reserves. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Leptomyrmex darlingtoni
An absconding Leptomyrmex darlingtoni worker climbs a small bush with a larva after the photographer has disturbed her nest at the base of the bush. A number of ant species display this absconding behavior upon nest disturbance, possibly as a defense against attacks by subterranean army ants. Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia
Leptomyrmex darlingtoni
A spider ant climbs a small bush with a larva after the photographer has disturbed her nest. The greatly distended gaster indicates that this ant is a replete who functions within the nest as a living storage chamber for liquids. Mungkan Kandju National Park, Queensland, Australia

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