Fig 1.
(A) a worker of Odontomachus brunneus (B) a larval antlion, Myrmeleon sp., removed from its pit (C) aggregation of antlion pits in sandy soil.
Fig 2.
Trap-jaw ant mandibles were glued shut to prevent ants from snapping.
Fig 3.
Still images from high-speed video (S2 Video) showing escape jumps of Odontomachus brunneus during interactions with the antlion, Myrmeleon carolinus.
After being attacked by an antlion (location at base of pit marked by black arrows in each frame), the trap-jaw ant (white arrows in each frame) strikes the side or center of the pit with her mandibles and propels herself away from the antlion. Time stamp indicates the time elapsed since first frame (upper left). Scale bar = 1cm.
Table 1.
Summary of Predator-Prey Interactions Between Trap-jaw Ants and Antlions.
Fig 4.
Frequency of escape behavior by trap-jaw ants in restraint experiment.
Frequency of escape by running or jumping was quantified for each interaction. Ants were unmanipulated (Control), had glue applied to the exterior edge of mandible (Mock), or had their mandibles glued shut (Restrained). Each treatment was replicated 76 times.
Table 2.
Escape Success In Restraint Experiment.