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Photo#1275282
large orange ant - Camponotus castaneus
Copyright © 2016 angella moorehouse

large orange ant - Camponotus castaneus
Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
August 13, 2016
This ant was in my backyard prairie restoration climbing up a partridge pea with what I think is a tiny ant. I'm not sure it was a prey item as the large ant was carrying it carefully with one appendage lifting it above its head as it climbed.

Images of this individual: tag all
large orange ant - Camponotus castaneus large orange ant - Camponotus castaneus
Contributed by angella moorehouse on 13 August, 2016 - 2:27pm
Last updated 23 August, 2016 - 6:38am

Moved
The smaller ant is not prey, but one who was killed after latching onto the right foreleg of the C. castaneus, perhaps defending the extrafloral nectary resource on the plant. Prey is always carried in the mandibles.
The smaller one appears to be a Lasius sp.
… James C. Trager, 23 August, 2016 - 6:38am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 21 August, 2016 - 11:20pm

Looks like Camponotus.
Perhaps Camponotus castaneus.
… Michael Hughes, 13 August, 2016 - 3:26pm

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