The transparent orange/green ants can glow in the sun like little gems. Their complex social behaviour and ability to combine forces (literally) in order to pull large leaves together to weave a nest is awe inspiring.

This major worker usues all its body language to make clear that it will defend what’s behind it by all means. The raised green abdomes, the wide stance, and the fully open jaws leave no room for misunderstanding. Behind it seemed to have been a kind of transfer station where something is passed mouth to mouth to the workers dedicated to a new nest project.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Genus: Oecophylla
Species: Oecophylla smaragdina
Common names: Green ant, Green tree ant, Weaver ant

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Keyword tags: Australia; Florence Falls; Litchfield National Park; Northern Territory; Animalia; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hymenoptera; Formicidae; Oecophylla; Oecophylla smaragdina; Green ant; Green tree ant; Weaver ant