A female (gyne) big-headed ant, Pheidole sp. Having just mated and pulled off her own wings, she'll go on to start a new colony, using her now-useless wing muscles as a source of nutrients to raise the first generation.

#macro #nature #insect #ants #bigheadedants #pheidole #insectsofthefediverse

A pair of mating big-headed ants, Pheidole sp.

At first I thought the smaller male was pulling the female's wings off, but actually the female pulled off her own wings. After mating the male will die, and the female will go off to start a new colony, using her now-useless wing muscles as a source of nutrients to raise the first generation who will then forage for food and feed the queen.

#macro #nature #insect #ants #bigheadedants #pheidole #insectsofthefediverse