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Cyphomyrmex flavidus
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2006

Cyphomyrmex are small, cryptic fungus-gardening ants related to the well-known leaf-cutter ants.  Unlike the leaf-cutters, Cyphomyrmex do not cultivate their fungus with live vegetation but instead feed it caterpillar droppings and other scavenged debris.

 
USA AZ Santa Cruz Co.: Sycamore Canyon, 
24km WNW Nogales. 1200m 31º25´N 111º12´W 
11.xi.2006 Oak-Juniper woodland, nest under stone.
A. L. Wild #AW2866, voucher specimens in 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 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.