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Polyxenus sp. millipede in Temnothorax nest
Polyxenidae
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

This ant has run afoul of a Polyxenid millipede.  The millipede (at bottom) protects itself with porcupine-like barbed quills projecting from its tail end.  The ant's antennae and mouthparts have become ensnared with millipede barbs, which have gotten even further stuck into a hapless ant larva (at center).

 
USA AZ Cochise Co.: 2km NE Carr Peak.
2200m 31º25.66´N 110º17.46´W 
22.iv.2006   Open pine forest.
#AW2817, voucher specimens deposited 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 D60, using a Canon 65mm f2.8 MPE 1-5x macro lens.