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Linepithema humile - The Argentine ant
Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

A worker Argentine ant (left) approaches a male nestmate (right).  Male ants are adapted to a very different lifestyle than the sterile female workers.  Notice the wings of the male and the enlarged eyes for flight.  The reduced mandibles render the males incapable of performing worker tasks.


 
USA CA Yolo Co.:  Davis 
10.vi.2005  38º33'N 121º47'W, 50m.
Suburban lawn.

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.