Ants, Formicidae

Ants are social insects. They are organised, highly principled, fearless, flexible, and shall I say hard working too? They also work very well in a team, never give up to achieve their goals, whatever it is.

Meranoplus sp ants tending to some scale insects on a tree trunk, Chamang Waterfall, Malaysia.

Below is another species of the genus Meranoplus.

Meranoplus castaneus Smith, 1857 (ID credit: Joachim Moog), Maxwell Hill, Malaysia.

Here's a slideshow of some other ants I've photographed (the album will grow as I add more photos to it):

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Please click on the links below to view the album:

On google:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116819265826478886555/Ants?authuser=0&feat=directlink

On flickr (small thumbnails for slow connection):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonywg/sets/72157632287707432/detail

On flickr (big thumbnails for faster connection):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/anthonywg/sets/72157632287707432

Blue-winged dragonfly, Rhyothemis sp (Libellulidae)

Rhyothemis plutonis (Libellulidae)

This is a very beautiful dragonfly. The dark colours on its wings appear metallic-like and changes from blue to violet at different viewing angles. It was spotted flying near a river stream at low speed with fluttering pattern (like that of a butterfly) in the morning, Malaysia.

The scientific name of this beauty is Rhyothemis plutonia.

ID credit: Kurt Orion (orionmystery.blogspot.com/)

Trogaspidia sp, (Mutillidae)

Velvet ants mating (Trogaspidia sp, Mutillidae)

Trogaspidia is a genus of Velvet Ants (Mutillidae). In spite of its common name, they are actually wasps. The name Velvet Ants originated from the wingless female's resemblance to a hairy ant. While the mating occurred on a leaf, the male is capable carrying the female and mate in the air while flying, in which they did as soon as I attempted to step back and leave them alone.

They are also known as Cow Killer, due to the extremely painful sting of the female. Though not aggressive, the female will sting if handled.

When mating, the male grab the female on the neck with its mandibles.





Wasp identification a courtesy of Dr Doug Yanega, Entomology Research Museum, University of California, Riverside.