Eciton army ants have some of the strangest compound eyes among insects. These surface-raiding predators likely re-evolved vision from a blind, subterranean ancestor.

Armenia, Belize
Eciton hamatum workers cross a living bridge made of ant bodies along a trail to the raid front.

Armenia, Belize
Neivamyrmex impudens is a large, slender nocturnal army ant found in Central America. This colony was photographed raiding a nest of Nylanderia.

Armenia, Belize
A Dorylus driver ant soldier stands guard over a foraging column.

Kibale Forest, Uganda
A Dorylus driver ant soldier stands guard over a foraging column.

Kibale Forest, Uganda
Portrait of an Dorylus driver ant soldier.

Kibale forest, Uganda
Portrait of an Dorylus driver ant soldier.

Kibale forest, Uganda
A Dorylus driver ant soldier stands guard over a foraging column.

Kibale Forest, Uganda
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii is a master predator of other ants. Here, a worker carries off a Pheidole soldier she has paralyzed, transporting the prey in typical army ant style- slung under her body.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Eciton army ants have some of the strangest compound eyes among insects. These surface-raiding predators likely re-evolved vision from a blind, subterranean ancestor.

Armenia, Belize
Eciton army ants have some of the strangest compound eyes among insects. These surface-raiding predators likely re-evolved vision from a blind, subterranean ancestor.

Armenia, Belize
Eciton army ants have some of the strangest compound eyes among insects. These surface-raiding predators likely re-evolved vision from a blind, subterranean ancestor.

Armenia, Belize
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013