Army ants such as these Eciton burchellii are important predators in many tropical ecosystems. Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

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.

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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

Eciton burchellii army ants. These large, predaceous ants are ubiquitous in the rainforests of Central and South America.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

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

Eciton burchellii army ants cluster around a cricket they have caught.

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 burchellii are important predators in many tropical ecosystems.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

Eciton burchellii

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii workers form a living chain at the edge of a bivouac. Claws at the tips of the ants' feet allow them to link together.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador

Eciton burchellii media workers stream towards the raid front.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Army ants such as these Eciton burchellii are important predators in many tropical ecosystems.

Captive colony at the California Academy of Sciences

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Eciton

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