Eciton burchellii army ant soldier. The hooked mandibles are used to protect army ant colonies against vertebrate predators.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii army ant soldier. The hooked mandibles are used to protect army ant colonies against vertebrate predators.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii army ant soldier. The hooked mandibles are used to protect army ant colonies against vertebrate predators.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii army ant soldier. The hooked mandibles are used to protect army ant colonies against vertebrate predators.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Eciton burchellii army ant soldier. The hooked mandibles are used to protect army ant colonies against vertebrate predators.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013