Odontomachus erythrocephalus

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
Orectognathus versicolor.  The predatory mandibles of trap-jaw ants must also be used for delicate tasks around the nest.  Here, a worker transports a larva.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor is unusual for a trap-jaw ant in having a major worker caste (the large ant at center).  The function of majors in this species remains unknown; other Orectognathus lack majors.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor.  The predatory mandibles of trap-jaw ants must also be used for delicate tasks around the nest.  Here, a worker transports a larva.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor is unusual for a trap-jaw ant in having a major worker caste (the large ant at center).  The function of majors in this species remains unknown; other Orectognathus lack majors.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor.  The predatory mandibles of trap-jaw ants must also be used for delicate tasks around the nest.  Here, a worker transports a larva.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor.  The predatory mandibles of trap-jaw ants must also be used for delicate tasks around the nest.  Here, a worker transports a larva.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Orectognathus versicolor is unusual for a trap-jaw ant in having a major worker caste (the large ant at center).  The function of majors in this species remains unknown; other Orectognathus lack majors.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Odontomachus erythrocephalus

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
Odontomachus erythrocephalus

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
Odontomachus erythrocephalus

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013