JungleDragon is a nature and wildlife community for photographers, travellers and anyone who loves nature. We're genuine, free, ad-free and beautiful.

Join

Dolichoderus attelaboides, Finca Heimatlos, Ecuador A long slender ant from the Dolichoderus genus, which typically have large colonies. Most species in this genus tap honeydew from other insects.<br />
<br />
Note the powdery crystal-like coating on the head and thorax. This is found in many ants and serves to reinforce the exoskeleton. It&#039;s a mineral produced by the ant itself, hence the term &quot;Biomineral armor&quot;. In case you want to geek out:<br />
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19566-3" rel="nofollow">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19566-3</a> Dolichoderus attelaboides,Ecuador,Ecuador 2021,Finca Heimatlos,Geotagged,South America,Spring,World Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Dolichoderus attelaboides, Finca Heimatlos, Ecuador

A long slender ant from the Dolichoderus genus, which typically have large colonies. Most species in this genus tap honeydew from other insects.

Note the powdery crystal-like coating on the head and thorax. This is found in many ants and serves to reinforce the exoskeleton. It's a mineral produced by the ant itself, hence the term "Biomineral armor". In case you want to geek out:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19566-3

    comments (2)

  1. Whoa. I have never heard of 'biomineral armor'! Posted 3 years ago
    1. I had not either, picked it up from some Wikipedia article. Posted 3 years ago

Sign in or Join in order to comment.

"Dolichoderus attelaboides" is a species of ant in the genus "Dolichoderus". Described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775, the species is endemic in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Feb 5, 2022. Captured Nov 11, 2021 17:51 in 95J5+WP Parroquia Tarqui, Ecuador.
  • NIKON D850
  • f/6.3
  • 1/60s
  • ISO64
  • 105mm