Researchers at Arizona State University use unique combinations of paint to keep track of individuals in their study colonies.  This ant appears ready for the holidays. (Harpegnathos saltator)

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
Ant versus finger. (Harpegnathos saltator) 

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Hunting technique in Harpegnathos saltator jumping ants: snare the prey with tiny barbs on the long mandibles and reach around with the stinger to find a soft spot. 

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Hunting technique in Harpegnathos saltator jumping ants: snare the prey with tiny barbs on the long mandibles and reach around with the stinger to find a soft spot. 

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
A worker Harpegnathos saltator carries a paralyzed cricket back to her laboratory nest.  The weight of the cricket is several times that of the ant.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
Although most ants hunt by sense of touch and smell, Harpegnathos saltator is a visual predator, spotting prey from a distance and snaring it tiny rows of teeth on the elongate mandibles.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Harpegnathos saltator, the Indian Jumping Ant, is one of the first ants slated to have its genome sequenced.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Harpegnathos saltator- one of the first ants slated to have its genome sequenced.  Researchers at Arizona State University use unique combinations of paint to keep track of individuals in their study colonies.  This ant appears ready for the holidays.

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University
Hunting technique in Harpegnathos saltator jumping ants: snare the prey with tiny barbs on the long mandibles and reach around with the stinger to find a soft spot. 

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Ant versus finger. (Harpegnathos saltator)

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Ant versus finger. (Harpegnathos saltator) 

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
Ant versus finger. (Harpegnathos saltator)

Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013