Camponotus (Tanaemyrmex) compressus (Fabricius)
- type form, polymorphism
The specimens below were collected by Marco Aita, who took the field
photographs. He commented (email 12.x.2008) -"I am attaching some
pictures of the larger species (around 15mm). The ants were quite
docile and almost sleepy (they would not run away if touched) and
always were seen in small groups of 8-10 individuals (some larger and
some smaller which looked as if "taking care" of the larger). They were
very often keeping the abdomen lifted. Also (21.2.2009) - "As far as I
remember they were all just foraging, none of them on vegetation. I
think the small ones were running like mad (that's why I thought they
were some "crazy ant") on the porch of my bungalow.. Some of the large
ones were in my bathroom (I guess they were looking for water) and some
(the large Camponotus in the pictures) were "bathing in the
sun". It was really funny because they did not react at all. I could
touch them and they would not move away, or attack. They barely moved..
it was early morning and they behaved as if they were not completely
awake yet. [The smaller ants were probably the Paratrechina
longicornis, see associated page] |
 The photomontage is
of specimens from The Maldives, North Malé Atoll, Ihuru Island,
4°18'36"N 73°25'26"E, 2008, collected by Marco Aita. Collected foraging
on the ground. Other images can be seen in the folder at - 
|
 MEDIA 1 WORKER
|
 MEDIA 2 WORKER
|
 MINIMA WORKER
|
 Greeting
|
 Nest
|
 Sunbathing -
|
|
