![Ant fight Found these 2 little fellas fighting in the middle of pathway, you could notice that both have lost one front leg and the fight went on... The light was bit harsh, as this was shot around 1pm. <br />
<br />
Between, is this Golden Backed Ant [Camponotus sericeus] ??? Camponotus sericeus,Geotagged,Golden backed ant,India,Summer,black ant,fight,gnanabharathi,golden backed ant,injury,wild](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2167/53654_medium.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1616630410&Signature=B3Y6efXfje0y%2FEsr71ofm6hsBOc%3D)
Ant fight
Found these 2 little fellas fighting in the middle of pathway, you could notice that both have lost one front leg and the fight went on... The light was bit harsh, as this was shot around 1pm.
Between, is this Golden Backed Ant [Camponotus sericeus] ???
Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants
By Ganesh Seshachar
All rights reserved
Uploaded Sep 17, 2017. Captured Sep 9, 2017 12:56 in 5, 15th Cross Road, MTS Layout, Gnanabharathi, Stage II, Kengeri Satellite Town, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560060, India.
comments (13)
In fact, I shifted my focus to capture a MayFly
May be they were helping each other?? not sure
Few more images from the series can be found @ https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tha86y0cqdfulak/AADwDSEdCRJSLbgo8aiyaAw4a?dl=0
Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
Posted 3 years ago
I've always thought it strange that with the species I've seen in action, the soldiers aren't the first out to fight, unless the colony is hedging it's bets and depending on the size of the colony, soldiers will be kept back in reserve to protect the queen and brood, unless its a very large well established colony that can afford to let the soldiers out. They are fascinating creatures. Although every time I think I start to understand their behaviour, they throw me a curveball and I have to rethink my ideas! Posted 3 years ago
Also, I'm inclined to agree that they are not fighting. They are the same species and I would imagine from the same colony. I believe they are engaging in 'trophallaxis' - the sharing of food from their social stomachs. I frequently see members of my colonies doing it, especially when in their outworld.
I believe you are correct with your species ID of 'Camponotus sericeus' given the location in which the picture was taken.
Great shot - definitely one for my favourites :) Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago