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Monomorium sordidum
Victoria, Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

Monomorium ants gather around an opening on the side of a scale gall.  The scale insect inside produces a sweet exudate that the ants feed on.

 
Australia, VIC: Yandoit, c. 18 km SW Castlemaine.
37º11.310'S 144º04.765'E, 290m, 23.ii.2006
Dry sclerophyll, gall on Eucalyptus 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 D60, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.