Eciton
is a large, conspicuous army ant endemic to the neotropics. Most species have a soldier caste with mandibles modified into ice-tong shaped hooks for defense against vertebrates. One rain forest species, E. burchellii, is known for its expansive epigaeic swarm raids.
An Eciton burchellii soldier uses her ice-tong mandibles to latch on to the photographer's skin. This gives her the leverage to use her stinger (at the read end of the animal) and makes her very difficult to remove.
Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
An Eciton burchellii soldier uses her ice-tong mandibles to latch on to the photographer's skin. This gives her the leverage to use her stinger (at the read end of the animal) and makes her very difficult to remove.
Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Canon EOS 7D |
Original size: 4512x3240 |
Current: 800x575 |
