A Tale of Turtle Ants and Soldier Evolution

Turtle Ant.

Cephalotes is a Neotropical genus of tree-dwelling ant species, commonly known as turtle ants. All appear to be gliding ants, with the ability to "parachute" and steer their fall so as to land back on the tree trunk rather than fall to the ground, which is often flooded. The disc shaped head is also used to block the entrance of invaders into their nests.