Formicidae Collection (#3)

Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp. ) two adults, with captured cockroach larva prey (captive)
Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) two adults, with captured cockroach larva prey (captive)

Wood Ant (Formica lemani) adult worker, carrying naked (not cocooned) pupae in nest, Powys, Wales, August

Wood Ant (Formica lemani) adult workers, tending larvae and naked (not cocooned) pupae in nest, Powys, Wales, August

Ant (Leptothorax acervorum) adult worker, carrying piece of dry grass to nest, Powys, Wales, July

Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp. ) adult, with captured cockroach larva prey (captive)
Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) adult, with captured cockroach larva prey (captive)

Ant (Myrmica sabuleti) adult workers, attacking and predating Ant (Myrmica scabrinodis) worker, Powys, Wales, August

Ant (Myrmica sabuleti) adult worker, attacking Ant (Myrmica ruginodis) winged adult male, Powys, Wales, August

Ant (Myrmica ruginodis) winged adult males, several attempting to mate with single queen, Powys, Wales, August

Treehopper bugs perched on plant stem, front view

Atta ants carrying leaves back to nest

Group of wood ants attacking beetle

Wood Ant (Formica rufa), view from above

Wood Ants (Formica rufa) on a branch with birch aphids

Ant (Formica rufa), view from above

Wood ants, Formica rufa, swarming over and around a dead grasshopper, intending to break it up and carry it back to the nest, above view

Tropical ants nest C016 / 7755
Tropical ants nest. This nest has been formed around the stalks of plants to keep it off the ground. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Ant drinking nectar C016 / 7734
Ant drinking nectar. Tropical ant drinking nectar from an extrafloral nectary at the base of a leaf. Extrafloral nectaries are nectar-secreting plant glands that develop outside of flowers

Bullet ants interacting C016 / 7739
Bullet ants interacting. Bullet ants (Paraponera clavata) get their name from their powerful and potent sting. They inhabit humid lowland rainforests from Nicaragua and the extreme east of Honduras

Insect defence glands, artwork C016 / 7681
Insect defence glands. Computer artwork of a beetle (order Coleoptera, left) and ant (family Formicidae, right), showing the location of the glands that secrete defensive chemicals

Ant on a toadstool C016 / 6249
Ant on a toadstool. Bulldog ant (Myrmecia sp.) on a Marasimus sp. toadstool on the rainforest floor. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Harvester ant C017 / 1283
Harvester ant (Messor hebraeus). Macrophotograph of a harvester ant carrying a seed. Harvester ants specialise in gathering different types of seeds

Leafcutter ant head C018 / 5932
Leafcutter ant. Close-up of a leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex sp.) head, showing its large mandibles that it uses to cut through leaves. Acromyrmex sp

Worker ants C014 / 4652
Worker ants (Polyrhachis illaudata) on the ground. Photographed in Guangdong province, South China

Tropical ant with prey C016 / 6236
Tropical ant with prey. Close-up of a large black ant (family Formicidae) dragging a millipede it has caught across the forest floor. Photographed in Yasuni National Park, Amazon rainforest, Ecuador

Leafcutter ant C018 / 2393
Leafcutter ant. Close-up of the head of a Daceton sp. ant, showing its compound eyes (black) and large mandibles (centre left), which it uses to cut through leaves

Trap-jaw ant C018 / 2436
Trap-jaw ant. Close-up of the head of a trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus sp.), showing its large mandibles (lower right). These carnivorous ants have spring-loaded serrated jaws to allow them to trap prey

Ant head C018 / 2487
Ant head. Close-up of the head of an ant (family Formicidae), showing its jaws (mandibles, lower centre) and eyes (upper left and right)

Queenless ants C015 / 5725
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5723
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5724
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5721
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5722
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Golden carpenter ant C018 / 2485
Golden carpenter ant. Close-up of a golden carpenter ant (Camponotus sericeiventris), showing its jaws (mandibles, centre) and long antennae (upper left and right)

Ant head C018 / 2371
Ant head. Close-up of the head of an ant (family Formicidae), showing its large mandibles (lower right) and one of its compound eyes (black, upper centre)

Queenless ants C015 / 5720
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5719
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Leafcutter ant C018 / 2418
Leafcutter ant. Close-up of an ant (family Formicidae) on a leaf, showing its large mandibles (lower centre) that it uses to cut through leaves. This specimen was found in Ecuador

Leaf cutter ant C018 / 2389
Leaf cutter ant (Daceton boltoni) on a leaf. This arboreal species of ant is found throughout Peru and Brazil

Queenless ants C015 / 5718
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Leafcutter ant C018 / 2391
Leafcutter ant. Close-up of the head of a Daceton boltoni ant, showing its compound eyes (black) and large mandibles (upper centre), which it uses to cut through leaves

Queenless ants C015 / 5717
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Queenless ants C015 / 5716
Queenless ants. Streblognathus peetersi ants fighting for dominance in their nest. S. peetersi originates from South Africa. They are a species of ant that does not have a queen in the colony

Golden carpenter ant C018 / 2484
Golden carpenter ant. Close-up of the head of a golden carpenter ant (Camponotus sericeiventris), showing its jaws (mandibles, lower right) and one of its eyes (upper centre)

Leafcutter ant C018 / 2486
Leafcutter ant. Close-up of a leafcutter soldier ant (Acromyrmex sp.) on a plant, showing its large mandibles (upper centre) that it uses to cut through leaves. Acromyrmex sp

Trap-jaw ant C018 / 2434
Trap-jaw ant. Close-up of the head of a trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus sp.), showing its large mandibles (lower right). These carnivorous ants have spring-loaded serrated jaws to allow them to trap prey

Ant head C018 / 2372
Ant head. Close-up of the head of an ant (Aphaenogaster sp.), showing its large mandibles (lower centre) and compound eyes (black, upper left and right). Aphaenogaster sp. Ants

Ant head C018 / 2373
Ant head. Close-up of the head of an ant (Aphaenogaster sp.), showing its large mandibles (lower right) and one of its compound eyes (black, upper centre)

Wood ant nest C018 / 2567
Wood ant nest. Nest of a red rood ant (Formica rufa) colony in a woodland. The red wood ant lives in a large nest usually made from a rotting tree stump covered in pine needles and other detritus

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Formicidae, commonly known as ants, are fascinating creatures that exhibit remarkable strength and teamwork. In Costa Rica, leaf-cutter ants (Atta sp) can be seen tirelessly carrying plant matter, showcasing their impressive ability to transport loads much larger than themselves. These industrious insects form long lines as they march together, each ant diligently contributing to the task at hand. The intricate details of an ant's anatomy are revealed in a scanning electron microscope image. The precision and complexity of their body structure highlight their adaptability and efficiency in various environments. Digital composites capture the mesmerizing sight of a line of leaf-cutter ants gracefully carrying leaves through lush landscapes. In Laguna del Lagarto, the vibrant colors of plant matter carried by leaf cutter ants create a stunning reflection in water. This harmonious blend between nature and these tiny workers showcases the beauty found within even the smallest ecosystems. Traveling further into Tambopata Nature Reserve in Peru reveals another species of leafcutter ants - Atta cephalotes - diligently transporting pieces of leaves into their nest. Their unwavering dedication to building and maintaining their colony is truly awe-inspiring. The trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus hastatus) exhibits its unique defense mechanism with mandibles wide open at Los Amigos Biological Station in Peru. These powerful jaws serve not only for protection but also for capturing prey swiftly and efficiently. A side view of Messor sp. , commonly known as harvester ant, displays its distinctive features while going about its daily activities. Its strong presence reminds us that every creature has an important role to play in our ecosystem. Zooming closer into Myrmica molesta or red ant reveals intricate patterns on its exoskeleton when observed up close. Such attention to detail highlights the diversity present among different species within Formicidae family. Examining tropical ants under a scanning electron microscope unveils astonishing textures and structures on their bodies.