Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis gathering nectar. Champaign, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

A pair of Prenolepis imparis workers tend a scale insect for honeydew. Del Puerto Canyon, California, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis, queen. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

A winter ant gathers honeydew from the surface of a leaf in the forest understory. High Falls State Park, Georgia, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis, portrait of a worker ant. Savoy, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis Davis, California, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Deep inside a nest of Prenolepis imparis, young worker ants are swollen with liquid food. These replete ants act as living storage containers and allow the colonies to persist through dearth periods. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis with larvae and pupae in the brood nest. Chiricahua mountains, Arizona, USA

Prenolepis imparis

On the first day of spring with temperatures over 70 ºF, winged male and female Prenolepis imparis winter ants gather at the nest entrance for the annual mating flight. This species is often the first North American ant of the year to fly. Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

A Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne climbs a twig prior to her early spring mating flight. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis winter ants mate at midday on the first warm days of spring. Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis winter ants mate at midday on the first warm days of spring. Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis winter ants mate at midday on the first warm days of spring. Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis winter ants mate at midday on the first warm days of spring. Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

A winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) tends apple aphids for their honeydew. Savoy, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Workers from neighboring Prenolepis winter ant colonies test each others' defenses in a tense but non-lethal confrontation. Ordway Reserve, Minnesota, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Workers from neighboring Prenolepis winter ant colonies test each others' defenses in a tense but non-lethal confrontation. Ordway Reserve, Minnesota, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

Workers from neighboring Prenolepis winter ant colonies test each others' defenses in a tense but non-lethal confrontation. The ants assess the size and number of their opponents, sometimes lunging or lightly biting but holding back from untethered aggression. It is thought these ritualistic battles help ants adjust territorial boundaries while avoiding loss of life. Ordway Reserve, Minnesota, USA.

Prenolepis imparis

A winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) forages for nectar in a dandelion flower. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

This winter ant (Prenolepis imparis) has caught a hackberry psyllid planthopper and is carrying it back to her nest. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis is the first ant to hold mating flights every year in temperate North America. Alates wait out the winter and emerge on the first warm spring days. This photo was taken in early March. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Winter ants (Prenolepis imparis) gather nectar in a dandelion flower. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Prenolepis imparis tending aphids for honeydew. Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

Prenolepis imparis

Following her mating flight, a Prenolepis imparis winter ant gyne searches for a place to start a new colony. Urbana, Illinois, USA.