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
Odontomachus clarus, the desert trap-jaw ant.

Portal, Arizona, USA
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. 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
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
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. 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
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
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
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013