Commonly known as trap-jaw ants, species in Odontomachus have a pair of large, straight mandibles capable of opening 180°. These jaws are locked in place by an internal mechanism, and can snap shut on prey or objects when sensory …

Feb 7, 2025 · The trap-jaw mandibles and associated behaviors of Odontomachus (and Anochetus) rank among the most specialized of any ponerine. When hunting, Odontomachus workers hold their highly modified mandibles open at 180° and shut them with extreme force and speed on their prey.

Odontomachus bauri is a species of ponerinae ant known as trap jaw ants. The trap jaw consists of mandibles which contain a spring-loaded catch mechanism. [1] This mechanism permits the ants to accumulate energy before striking or releasing the mandibles rapidly.

Oct 23, 2020 · Trap-jaws are highly modified, spring-loaded mandibles which snap shut with tremendous speed and power. They are primarily used for prey capture but in some species have a defensive defensive role.

Jul 30, 2016 · Odontomachus, otherwise known as trap-jaw ants, belong to the carnivorous variety of ants, and you find them in subtropical and tropical regions all over the world. The general name for this variety of ants is trap-jaw ants in the Odontomachus species.

Trap jaw ant ‘Odontomachus bauri’ owns the record for the fastest movement within the animal kingdom. Its mandibles can exert forces 300 times its own weight, at maximum speeds of 230 km/h or 140 mph.

The trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus bauri), which lives in Central and South America, moves its mandibles (mouth parts) at 115 to 207 feet per second. Another way to think about this is that the...

Trap-jaw ants (including Odontomachus ruginodis and Odontomachus bauri) are one of the more interesting ant species found in Georgia. They are active hunters with venomous stings and jaws strong enough to fling themselves through the air.

Jul 23, 2019 · An online resource devoted to North American insects, spiders and their kin, offering identification, images, and information.

Sep 14, 2021 · These big ants are quick to sting in defense of their nest, and the sting is often described as being a bit more painful than a honeybee sting. Like fire ants, trap-jaw ants often grasp the skin with their mandibles and sting several times. The sting is smooth, no barbs, and can be used repeatedly.