Acanthognathus

is a small genus of rarely encountered myrmicine trap-jaw ants from the tropical forests of Central and South America. The elongate build and shiny red coloration of these ants render Acanthognathus among the most attractive of all the trap-jaw species.

The short inner teeth on the mandibles of this Acanthognathus ocellatus worker are for performing the delicate tasks within the nest, as the expansive trap-jaws themselves are not well-suited for domestic work. Venezuela
An Acanthognathus ocellatus forager hunts through a bed of moss Venezuela
Acanthognathus ocellatus Venezuela

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