A soldier of Nomamyrmex esenbeckii, the most heavily armored of the army ants. As these ants are predators of the giant Atta leafcutting ants, they require stout, sturdy appendages to withstand the slicing mandibles of their prey. Gamboa, Panama

Nomamyrmex esenbeckii workers carrying a massive Pheidole pupa they have taken in a successful raid. Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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