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Myrmecocystus mendax
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

One diagnostic feature of the genus Myrmecocystus are the elongate maxillary palps, visible here as the finger-like appendages on the underside of the head.  The palps emerge from the mouthparts and have a sensory function.

 
USA AZ Cochise Co.: Southwestern Research Station, Chiricahua Mtns., 7km WSW Portal
1650m 31º53´N 109º12´W 
4.viii.2005 Oak-Juniper Woodland.

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, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.