Eciton burchellii army ants. Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

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.

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

< 45 of 86 >

Eciton burchellii army ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii set up bivouacs by linking their bodies together. Here, one worker serves as an anchor for several others.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii media worker carrying part of a dismembered spider.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii media worker carries an ant she has caught.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii submajor carrying a spider. This long-legged caste is specialized for transporting large or awkward prey.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Inside an army ant bivouac.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii submajor and media workers carve an arthropod carcass into pieces small enough to carry.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii army ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii army ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii army ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii army ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Canon EOS 50D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4134x2766 |

Current: 800x536 |

Share photo: links, forums, blogs |

Keywords: caste ecitoninae major workers army ant raid

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

< 45 of 86 >

Comments

|

all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

Available Feeds

Gallery Photos:

Atom |

RSS