Harpegnathos saltator

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

Indian Jumping Ant. 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 jumping ants have evolved elongate mandibles in a rather unusual fashion. Most long-jawed ants (such as this bulldog ant) got their long chops by simply stretching their mandibles out evenly, but Harpegnathos followed a different path. They took a little piece along the front of the mandible near the head and pulled it forward almost as if it were silly putty, leaving the rest more or less intact. The downward-pointing triangle near the base is the remains of the old mandibular tip. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University

Up close with the Indian jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator. Both sets of eyes- the large compound eyes for forming images and the small trio of ocelli for judging light levels- are visible in this photo. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University

A Harpegnathos saltator worker cleans her foreleg by pulling it through her mouthparts. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University

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

Harpegnathos saltator, the Indian Jumping Ant. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University, USA

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

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

Harpegnathos saltator

I am ant, hear me roar. Laboratory colony at Arizona State University

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

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

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 sp. worker Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo

Harpegnathos sp. worker Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo

Harpegnathos ants have evolved elongate mandibles in a rather unusual fashion. Most long-jawed ants (such as this bulldog ant) got their long chops by simply stretching out their mandibles evenly, but Harpegnathos followed a different path. They took a little piece along the front of the mandible near the head and pulled it forward almost as if it were silly putty, leaving the rest more or less intact. The downward-pointing triangle near the base is the remains of the old mandibular tip. Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo

Off-screen to the left I am taunting this Harpegnathos worker ant with my finger, causing her to open her jaws in defense. Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo

Harpegnathos has excellent vision, a result of some of the largest eyes in the Formicidae. Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo

A laboratory colony of Harpegnathos. The queen is in focus in the center-left. Danum Valley Field Centre, Sabah Borneo