Atta laevigata is recognizeable by the giant shiny head of the soldiers.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
An Eciton hamatum 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.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
An Eciton hamatum 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.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, 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
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 hamatum 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.

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii

Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Cephalotes varians, turtle ant soldier. The bizarre disc on the head is used as a living door to block the nest entrance.

Florida Keys, USA
Cephalotes varians, turtle ant soldier. The bizarre disc on the head is used as a living door to block the nest entrance.

Florida Keys, USA
Atta laevigata is recognizeable by the giant shiny head of the soldiers.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Atta laevigata is recognizeable by the giant shiny head of the soldiers.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Atta laevigata is recognizeable by the giant shiny head of the soldiers.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013