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Jerdon's jumping ant

Harpegnathos saltator

Description:

I found this Jerdon's jumping ant on tree. It had a Picture - winged fly in its mandibles. When I approached it for a picture it leaped onto the ground from a height of approx 5 feet and started getting away from me with quick successive leaps. It then hid under a dry leaf. I carefully lifted the leaf and quickly photographed it before it started moving again. :-) I knew the exact location of its nest which was about 50 feet away. Followed it half way when a Black -Naped Monarch Flycatcher male distracted me and I lost track of the ant. I have seen these ants single-handedly taking on relatively large insects like grasshoppers and dragging them back to their nests . Their have a very painful sting. You better avoid getting stung from this mighty powerful ant. :-)

Habitat:

Backyard Agriculture

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5 Comments

vipin.baliga
vipin.baliga 9 years ago

Thanks guys... :-)

Lauren: Thanks for the link. Truly remarkable mandibles...
I have seen this ant leap 10 cm forward and seize a small cricket in its mandibles. It all happened in an instant.

Looking forward to seeing this ant catch a fly in the air.. :-D

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 9 years ago

The mandibles are remarkable! Tic has a close-up of Harpegnathos venator (http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/324...) showing those amazing mandibles. Have you ever seen one leap into the air to catch a flying prey?

LaurenZarate
LaurenZarate 9 years ago

Remarkable picture! Love it! Great job!

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 10 years ago

Love your information and picture!

Wild Things
Wild Things 10 years ago

Beautiful pic!

vipin.baliga
Spotted by
vipin.baliga

Karnataka, India

Spotted on Aug 12, 2013
Submitted on Sep 4, 2013

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