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Neivamyrmex nigrescens - Army Ants
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

Neivamyrmex army ants are predators of other ant species, and the different sizes of workers in a colony are specialized for carrying different prey sizes.   In this photo of army ants returning from a successful raid, notice that the largest worker carries an adult Aphaenogaster ant, a media worker carries a pupa, and a smaller worker carries a small prey larva.

 
USA AZ Cochise Co.: Huachuca Mts, Miller Canyon. 1810m.  31º24.7´N 110º16.8´W 
30.vi.2006.  Riparian forest, column of ants under stone.  #AW2831, voucher specimens at ALWC.


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 20D, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.