Odontomachus coquereli. Notice the tiny mites riding on this ant's mandibles. The mites are apparently able to hold tight even when the jaws of their host slam shut at high speed. Madagascar - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Trap-Jaw Ants

Several lineages of ants have independently evolved an effective predatory device: spring-loaded mandibles that snap shut on a hair trigger.

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Odontomachus bauri trap-jaw ants showing some of the different mandible positions.

La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica

Odontomachus bauri. With peak velocities over 50 meters per second, the mandibles of this species have among the fastest recorded movements in the biological world

La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica

Sensitive trigger hairs of the trap-jaw ant Odontomachus coquereli protrude forward from the base of the mandibles.

Madagascar

Caught! A small cricket is impaled on the mandibles of a malagasy trap-jaw ant, Odontomachus coquereli.

Madagascar

The brightly colored head of Odontomachus erythrocephalus makes this species among the most recognizable trap-jaw ants.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia

Odontomachus coquereli. Notice the tiny mites riding on this ant's mandibles. The mites are apparently able to hold tight even when the jaws of their host slam shut at high speed.

Madagascar

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Keywords: bugs teeth nature insect insects mites hymenoptera formicidae trapjaw ants trapjaw ant mandibles ponerinae odontomachus poneromorph ant teeth odontomachus coquereli tropical trap jaw ant

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Trap-Jaw Ants

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