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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 hairs on the inside of the mandibles are touched. The mandibles are powerful and fast, giving the ant its common name.
The sting of jack jumper ants can be lethal for humans, [98] and an antivenom has been developed for it. [99] Fire ants, Solenopsis spp., are unique in having a venom sac containing piperidine alkaloids. [100] Their stings are painful and can be dangerous to hypersensitive people. [101]
Ant keepers may choose to keep ants in captivity to document ant behavior (in the case of an ant species which is difficult to observe in the wild). This field of study is called myrmecology. Ant keepers may also choose to keep ants as a casual hobby; i.e., as pets. People who keep ants may also keep them for scientific purposes and experiments.
They usually stay outdoors in the garden, living in massive social colonies where everybody has a job, from finding food to caring for the queen. Until they don't. Until they don't.
Colonies of army ants are large compared to the colonies of other Formicidae. Colonies can have over 15 million workers and can transport 3000 prey (items) per hour during the raid period. [14] [20] When army ants forage, the trails that are formed can be over 20 m (66 ft) wide and over 100 m (330 ft) long. [20]
The toxicity of the venom of the Maricopa harvester ant is well known. Its LD 50 value is 0.12 mg/kg (injected intravenously in mice); 12 stings can kill a 2-kg rat. In comparison, the LD 50 of the honey bee is 2.8 mg/kg—less than one-twentieth as strong. In humans, a Pogonomyrmex sting produces intense pain that can last up to four hours. [3 ...