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Oecophylla longinoda - Weaver Ant, Tailor Ant
Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

photograph © Alex Wild 2008

This ant nest- crafted from living leaves in an African forest- is held together by silk spun by the larvae. This unusual habit has earned these insects the common names 'weaver ant' and 'tailor ant.'  When disturbed by the photographer, the ants rush out to defend the colony.

 
Republic of South Africa: 
Kwazulu-Natal, St. Lucia
2.vii.2008 28º23.0'S 32º24.5'E, 20m
Rainforest edge, arboreal leaf/silk nest.
voucher specimen 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 20D using a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens.