Images of Acromyrmex versicolor leaf-cutting ants in Arizona, USA.
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You may need to scroll down PAST BOTTOM OF PAGE for complete image description, and CLICK large image to make it even LARGER...
***There may be multiple image pages; use red page/image controls below to see them all!***
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:39AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
The sharp, and powerful mandibles of this Acromyrmex versicolor worker can be seen clearly in this image. These cutting and grasping tools allow the ants to efficiently remove large amounts of vegetation from a wide variety of plants. The freshly cut plant material is then brought back to the nest where it serves as a medium for the growth of a nutritious, symbiotic fungus.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-27vNsCV/1/Ti/6251_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:39AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
The sharp, and powerful mandibles of this Acromyrmex versicolor worker can be seen clearly in this image. These cutting and grasping tools allow the ants to efficiently remove large amounts of vegetation from a wide variety of plants. The freshly cut plant material is then brought back to the nest where it serves as a medium for the growth of a nutritious, symbiotic fungus.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:38AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
An Acromyrmex versicolor worker grasps a leaf to be brought back to the nest. These ants will retrieve fallen leaves and other plant parts from the ground, as well as removing them directly from the plants themselves.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-BdFJnZx/0/Ti/6247_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:38AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
An Acromyrmex versicolor worker grasps a leaf to be brought back to the nest. These ants will retrieve fallen leaves and other plant parts from the ground, as well as removing them directly from the plants themselves.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:41AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Climbing over many obstacles on her way back to the nest, this A. versicolor worker carries a mesquite leaflet. Leafcutter ants (of many different species) often transport their cargo in this manner; grasped in the mandibles, with the object held backwards over the ant's body. Because of this, leafcutters are often referred to as 'parasol ants'.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-ssfMm67/0/Ti/6257_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:41AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Climbing over many obstacles on her way back to the nest, this A. versicolor worker carries a mesquite leaflet. Leafcutter ants (of many different species) often transport their cargo in this manner; grasped in the mandibles, with the object held backwards over the ant's body. Because of this, leafcutters are often referred to as 'parasol ants'.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:45AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Many leafcutter, like this Acromyrmex versicolor worker, have an extremely rough and spiny integument. This prickly 'armor' undoubtedly affords them some measure of protection from the vertebrate and invertebrate predators they may encounter.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-VrBJhVs/0/Ti/6269_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 9:45AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Many leafcutter, like this Acromyrmex versicolor worker, have an extremely rough and spiny integument. This prickly 'armor' undoubtedly affords them some measure of protection from the vertebrate and invertebrate predators they may encounter.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
Another Acromyrmex versicolor worker comically carrying a relatively huge piece of plant matter in the typical 'parasol' fashion.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-KsK2Jzd/0/Ti/6282_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:01AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
Another Acromyrmex versicolor worker comically carrying a relatively huge piece of plant matter in the typical 'parasol' fashion.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:11AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
Despite their fearsome appearance, these Acromyrmex versicolor workers are not known to readily attack human investigators. One can observe or photograph them at length, with little or no sign of an aggressive or defensive reaction from the ants. Other leafcutters, such as certain Atta species, can and will slice through skin with their enormous mandibles.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-LrfLxV7/0/Ti/6288_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:11AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
Despite their fearsome appearance, these Acromyrmex versicolor workers are not known to readily attack human investigators. One can observe or photograph them at length, with little or no sign of an aggressive or defensive reaction from the ants. Other leafcutters, such as certain Atta species, can and will slice through skin with their enormous mandibles.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:13AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
An Acromyrmex versicolor worker foraging among the leaf litter near her nest.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-Q4gxDhb/0/Ti/6293_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:13AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
An Acromyrmex versicolor worker foraging among the leaf litter near her nest.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:45AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Climbing the nest cone with a tiny leaflet...](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-38jGC5W/0/Ti/6827_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:45AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
Climbing the nest cone with a tiny leaflet...")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:28AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
In addition to their foraging activities, Acromyrmex versicolor workers also spend a great deal of time on nest maintenance, and construction. In this image, a major worker carries a small pebble up to the top the the volcano-like nest structure. Many tunnels, galleries, and fungus-growing chambers are hidden in the subterranean portions of the nest. A tiny minor worker is seen here as well.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-28vzrwz/0/Ti/6693_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:28AM sunny, air temp: 16°C / 60°F
In addition to their foraging activities, Acromyrmex versicolor workers also spend a great deal of time on nest maintenance, and construction. In this image, a major worker carries a small pebble up to the top the the volcano-like nest structure. Many tunnels, galleries, and fungus-growing chambers are hidden in the subterranean portions of the nest. A tiny minor worker is seen here as well.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:50AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
A cluster of A. versicolor nest cones in southern Arizona, USA. Height of largest one is approximately 25 cm / 10 inches.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-tRtSHd6/0/Ti/6834_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 9:50AM sunny, air temp: 24°C / 76°F
A cluster of A. versicolor nest cones in southern Arizona, USA. Height of largest one is approximately 25 cm / 10 inches.")
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-sv787tn/0/Ti/2457_10_7D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.")
![pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:11AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
This trail of foraging A. versicolor workers was about 6 m / 15 feet in length, and can be seen here traversing the base of a concrete curb. The ground is covered with mesquite leaflets - these also made up the bulk of the returning workers' cargo.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-wHq9Xkg/0/Ti/2350_10_40D-Ti.jpg "pogolumina > ● Catalina State Park, Tucson [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 800 m / 2625 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/02/10 10:11AM sunny, air temp: 26°C / 78°F
This trail of foraging A. versicolor workers was about 6 m / 15 feet in length, and can be seen here traversing the base of a concrete curb. The ground is covered with mesquite leaflets - these also made up the bulk of the returning workers' cargo.")
● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.
![pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.](http://www.pogolumina.net/Other-ants/Acromyrmex/i-sv787tn/0/M/2457_10_7D-M.jpg "pogolumina > ● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.")
● Duval Mine Rd, Sahuarita [Pima Co], AZ USA [el. 882 m / 2893 ft] view location in Google Maps »
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
● 11/06/10 7:42AM sunny, air temp: 17°C / 62°F
A gavel nest cone of Acromyrmex versicolor in southern Arizona, USA. It's easy to see why these leafcutters are often referred to as 'volcano ants'.