Odontomachus coquereli Madagascar - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Trap-Jaw Ants

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

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>

< 14 of 62 >

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

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

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

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

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

Odontomachus coquereli

Madagascar

Original size: 3076x2052 |

Current: 800x534 |

Share photo: links, forums, blogs |

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

gallery pages: < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >>

< 14 of 62 >

Comments

|

all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

Available Feeds

Gallery Photos:

Atom |

RSS