Jumping Ants

This image reveals a worker jumping ant Harpegnathos saltator murdering the queen. The image was shot in Karnataka's BRT Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Western Ghats. The queen had just torn off her own wings after a successful mating and was scouring the forest floor in search for a suitable nest site. To minimise predation, the queens time their exodus from their natal nests only when they are absolutely ready to mate. Though this de-alated queen was 'murdered' a large number of her sisters successfully established nests, thus completing their life's mission - passing on the colony's genes.