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

photograph © Alex Wild 2008

Weaver ants aggressively defend their nests.  This worker sinks her jaws into my hand.  The bite doesn't really hurt until she swings her gaster forward to spray formic acid into the wound.

 
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 MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens.