Ants of the genus Myrmica bringing their larvae and pupae back underground after their nest has been disturbed.

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Ants of the genus Myrmica bringing their larvae and pupae back underground after their nest has been disturbed. While cleaning the terrace, I accidentally brushed the leaf off this small secondary nest outside the main nest, and the ants took about two minutes to bring all the juveniles, the pupae, larvae, and eggs, back underground to the main nest. The larvae look like white worms, while the pupae already show legs and eyes. These ants are of the genus Myrmica, but without a microscope, it's impossible to say which species exactly. As Myrmica rubra is most common in our neighborhood, it is highly likely these are Myrmica rubra.

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Size: 5119px × 3413px
Location: Eckental, Bavaria, Germany
Photo credit: © Antje Schulte - Ant Life / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ant, ants, carrying, egg, eggs, juvenile, larva, larvae, myrmica, nursery, pupa, pupae, safety, workers