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Epopostruma frosti - trap-jaw ant
South Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

The genus Epopostruma can be told from other trap-jaw ants by the wide gap between the mandibles.   In most trap-jaw ants, the mandibles are held close together when closed.  Notice also the reduced number of antennal segments.  Most ants have eleven or twelve, but in Epopostruma and other dacetine ants the number of segments has been reduced to six or fewer.

 
Australia, SA: Peebinga Conservation Park
34º58.268'S 140º48.090'E, 80m, 11.x.2005
Mallee scrub forest after dark, on Eucalyptus trunk.

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.