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Jerdon's jumping ant
Harpegnathos saltator
12.2092, 75.8314
Field Notes
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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