An Eciton burchellii soldier brandishes her hooked mandibles. These unwieldy weapons are designed to grab vertebrate predators and deter them from stealing the army ants' own catch. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Army Ants and Other Nomads

Several lineages of ants in the warmer regions of the world have evolved a lifestyle of nomadic predation.

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An Eciton burchellii soldier brandishes her hooked mandibles. These unwieldy weapons are designed to grab vertebrate predators and deter them from stealing the army ants' own catch.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

A column of Eciton rapax, the largest Eciton species, marches across the Amazonian forest floor.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Eciton hamatum workers return from a successful raid bearing captured ant brood.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii bivouac.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton rapax worker carrying prey.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

A soldier Eciton burchellii army ant. The ice-tong shaped mandibles defend the colony against vertebrate predators.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

Eciton burchelli army ants can form living bridges with their bodies.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

Army ants such as these Eciton are important predators in many tropical ecosystems. Colonies have worker ants of different sizes that specialize in different tasks.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

An Eciton burchellii soldier brandishes her hooked mandibles. These unwieldy weapons are designed to grab vertebrate predators and deter them from stealing the army ants' own catch.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Canon EOS 7D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4614x3270 |

Current: 800x567 |

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Keywords: ecitoninae army ants mandibles tropical ant colony defence

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Army Ants and Other Nomads

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