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Trap jaw ant with prey

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Description

This one caught a harvestman. Taken at night in Singapore.

Quote from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odontoma…

Odontomachus is a genus of carnivorous ants found in the tropics and subtropics throughout the world.

Commonly known as trap-jaw ants, species in Odontomachus have a pair of large, straight mandibles capable of opening 180 degrees. These jaws are locked in place by an internal mechanism, and can snap shut on prey or objects when sensory hairs on the inside of the mandibles are touched. The mandibles are powerful and fast, giving the ant its common name. The mandibles either kill or maim the prey, allowing the ant to bring it back to the nest. Odontomachus can simply lock and snap its jaws again if one bite is not enough, or to cut off bits of larger food. The mandibles also permit slow and fine movements for other tasks such as nest building and care of larvae.

Image size
960x640px 375.61 KB
Make
Canon
Model
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Shutter Speed
1/160 second
Aperture
F/16.0
Focal Length
100 mm
ISO Speed
250
Date Taken
Feb 28, 2014, 11:57:19 PM
Sensor Size
6mm
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Comments7
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mishkuu's avatar
awesome capture! thanks for the info