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Pyramica membranifera
Arizona, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2007

Workers of the stealth predator Pyramica membranifera grooming each other in the nest. The spongy, light yellow material around the waist segments is a type of modified body hair, but its function is not well understood.

 
USA AZ Pima Co.: Tucson
32º14.05'N 110º54.90'W 730m. 23.x.2007.
Ant nest under stone next to sidewalk, urban.
#AW2934 voucher specimens 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.