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Pheidologeton affinis
Queensland, Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2004

Pheidologeton marauder ants have one of the largest size disparities between the largest and smallest worker ants in a colony.  Supermajor workers have powerful mandibles that are useful for cutting up and carrying large prey items such as this beetle grub.  The supermajor pictured here was able to single-handedly drag a very large beetle larva across the substrate.

 
Australia, QLD: 2.5km E Rossville
27.viii.2004  15º45.277'S 145º17.340'E, 180m
Rainforest edge.
#AW2554, 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, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.