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Myrmecia pilosula - Jack Jumper Ant Larvae
Victoria, Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

Myrmecia ants are predaceous, and most of the prey brought into the nest goes to feed the growing larvae.  Here a larva (left) munches on a bit of dead insect.  Long body hairs help keep the larva dry and protect her from the hungry mandibles of voracious siblings.

 
Australia, VIC: Tower Hill
38º19'S 142º22'E, 40m, 9.x.2005
Parkland.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.