Odontomachus clarus, the desert trap-jaw ant. Portal, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Odontomachus

is a large, conspicuous ponerine ant found in the tropics and subtropics worldwide. Often called "trap-jaw ants", these predatory insects are noted for their unusual mandibles that are held open at 180º and snap shut on a hair trigger.

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Odontomachus chelifer is the largest trap-jaw ant species in South America.

Aragua, Venezuela

Odontomachus chelifer. Ants from different colonies don't normally tolerate each other. Here, a trap-jaw ant dispatches an intruder from a neighboring nest.

Aragua, Venezuela

Spiky larvae are characteristic of ponerine ants. Here, an Odontomachus clarus desert trap-jaw ant tends to larvae in the brood nest.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Odontomachus clarus. Although the mandibles of trap-jaw ants appear designed primarily for hunting, they also must serve in more traditional roles to excavate the nest and carry brood. This worker is holding a larva.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Odontomachus clarus, the desert trap-jaw ant.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Odontomachus clarus. Male ants betray the wasp ancestry of ants, often bearing little resemblance to the females of the species. This is a male of the desert trap-jaw ant.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

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

Madagascar

Odontomachus clarus, the desert trap-jaw ant.

Portal, Arizona, USA

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Keywords: white bugs nature insect insects hymenoptera formicidae trapjaw ants trapjaw ant ponerinae odontomachus odontomachus clarus red ant poneromorph desert trap jaw ant

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Odontomachus

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