#spiny ants

[ljsbugblog]

Unknown Spiny Ant (subgenus Hagiomyrma), April ' 24.

[rattyexplores]

A small group of Spiny Ants, apparently Polyrhachis mucronata.

I was confused as to why these ants had gathered in this spot, but on further examination of the photos, they’re tending to Scale Insects!

I wouldn’t know much about this particular relationship, but ants do sometimes harvest honeydew from parasitic Hemipterans, and protecting them from predators in turn.

A good example of mutualism.

04/05/22

[rattyexplores]

Spiny ant nest. Not all species of Spiny Ant have arboreal nests, but this one does. The species itself hasn’t been identified yet, but it is apart of the sub-genus Cyrtomyrma. These nests often look like a handful of leaves glued together with mulch. The leaves are stuck together with silk and various bits of debris. From what I can see, these nests don’t seem to get any bigger than a human hand.

Cyrtomyrma (subgenus) & Polyrhachis (genus)

18/05/22