Fig. 1 in Actions of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on a big-eared opossum carcass

Fig. 1. Carcass of big-eared opossum (Didelphis aurita) colonized by fire ants Solenopsis saevissima (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and other insects on 12 Nov 2017, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. (A) Fire ants initially monopolized the carcass, constructing a dirt mound on the muzzle, thus displaying the burying behavior of the ants. (B) Circled are ants beginning construction of a soil mound near the tail. (C) Diptera depositing eggs on the carcass. Afer the carcass was moved to the periphery of the roadway, the ants lost their dominance to other necrophagous insects. (D) Skeletonized carcass; ants and other necrophagous insects remained until the end of the decomposition process.