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Pseudomyrmex apache
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2007

Many tree-nesting ants do not excavate their own tunnels through wood but instead take advantage of openings created by other insects.  The nest of this Pseudomyrmex twig ant inhabits a cavity carved by the larva of a wood-boring beetle.

 
USA AZ Pima Co.: E Catalina Highway 
32º17'N 110º45'W 830m. 17.vii.2007.
Ant nest in dead wood of living Palo Verde tree.


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 MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens.