Acacia-ants
Guides
Crematogaster atkinsoni
Crematogaster atkinsoni is a species of ant in the tribe Crematogastrini, described by Wheeler in 1919. The genus Crematogaster, commonly known as acrobat ants, is characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when alarmed. Species in this genus are found across diverse habitats worldwide and are known for their ecological interactions with other organisms, including as predators of spider egg sacs and as hosts for myrmecophilous beetles.
Pseudomyrmex
Twig Ants, Acacia Ants
Pseudomyrmex is a genus of stinging ants in the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae, comprising approximately 180-209 species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. The genus is characterized by large compound eyes, slender wasp-like bodies, and diurnal activity patterns. Most species are generalist twig nesters that inhabit hollow stems and dead wood, though several species have evolved obligate mutualistic relationships with myrmecophytic plants, most famously with bullhorn acacias (Acacia spp.). These mutualistic species provide aggressive defense of their host plants against herbivores and competing vegetation in exchange for nesting sites and specialized food sources.