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Podomyrma gratiosa & Crematogaster sp.
South Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

A large Podomyrma tree ant attacks a column of smaller Crematogaster workers that pass too close to her nest.  The Crematogaster fight back, and even though the large size and heavy armor of the Podomyrma allow it a one-on-one advantage, the superior numbers of Crematogaster give the smaller ants the edge in this fight.

 
Australia, SA: 12 km NE Naracoorte.
Black Cockatoo Bush Camp.
36º51.841'S 140º49.396'E, 90m, 18.x.2005
Lowland Eucalyptus forest, grazed.

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.