Acanthostichus is a genus of predatory, subterranean ants in the subfamily Dorylinae. The genus contains 24 described species distributed across the New World from the southern United States to northern Argentina. These ants are rarely encountered due to their underground lifestyle, and many species are known from very few specimens. Species identification relies heavily on petiole morphology.
Dracula ants, Vampire ants
Amblyoponinae is an ancient, relictual subfamily of ants characterized by specialized subterranean predatory habits and unique 'Dracula ant' behavior, in which adult workers pierce the integument of their own larvae to imbibe haemolymph. The subfamily contains 13 extant genera and originated in the mid-Cretaceous approximately 107 million years ago. Crown group diversification occurred in the Late Paleocene/Early Eocene. The subfamily exhibits remarkable morphological and behavioral diversity, including convergent evolution of army ant-like behaviors in some lineages and highly plastic caste systems in others.
Antennophoridae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata, comprising five genera and nine recognized species. Members are obligate ectoparasites of ants, with Antennophorus grandis being the best-studied species. These mites ride on host workers, using specialized front legs to solicit food through tactile communication.
Funnel Ants, Collared Ants
Aphaenogaster is a genus of myrmicine ants comprising approximately 200 described species, including 18 fossil species. Workers are monomorphic with 12-segmented antennae and four-segmented antennal clubs. The genus exhibits diverse nesting habits, with most species nesting in soil, under rocks, or in rotten wood, while some species such as A. mariae are arboreal. Australian species are known for constructing conspicuous funnel-shaped nest entrances up to 4 cm in diameter.
Carolina Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster carolinensis is a medium-sized ant species in the family Formicidae, first described by Wheeler in 1915. The species is notable for its documented substrate vibration generating behavior, in which workers strike and drag their mandibles against surfaces to produce vibrations. This behavior occurs most frequently during confrontations with non-nestmate conspecifics and does not require the presence of food or territory to be initiated.
Pitch-black Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster picea is a species of ant in the family Formicidae. It is known for its gut microbiome composition, which has been studied in relation to worker task behaviors and refuse pile interactions. The species is found at higher elevations in the eastern United States, particularly in Virginia, where it has been documented at 900–1000 meters above sea level. Workers exhibit task specialization without morphological subcastes, including nurse, forager, and refuse pile interaction roles.
Texas Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster texana is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Texas Collared Ant. It belongs to the genus Aphaenogaster, a diverse group of ants often referred to as spine-waisted ants due to their distinctive petiole structure. The species was described by Wheeler in 1906 and includes two recognized subspecies: A. t. texana and A. t. carolinensis.
Aphaenogaster umphreyi is a rarely collected ant species in the genus Aphaenogaster, described in 1998 from Florida. The species belongs to a genus predominantly consisting of ground-nesting species in eastern temperate forests. Like its congener A. mariae, it may exhibit arboreal nesting habits, though this has not been confirmed. The species remains poorly known due to limited collection records.
Camponotine Ants
Camponotini is a species-rich tribe of ants within the subfamily Formicinae, comprising 11 extant and 2 extinct genera with over 2,500 species. The tribe includes the well-known genus Camponotus (carpenter ants), along with Colobopsis, Polyrhachis, and several smaller genera. Members of this tribe are distinguished by their obligate association with the bacterial endosymbiont Blochmannia, which provides nutritional benefits. The tribe originated in the Eocene approximately 38.4 million years ago, likely in Australasia or the Indomalayan region.
Larger Black Sneaking Ant
Cardiocondyla venustula is a small myrmicine ant native to Africa, with introduced populations in the Caribbean and North America. The species belongs to the C. shuckardi group and exhibits an intermediate reproductive strategy among congeners, with wingless males that attack freshly eclosing rivals but rarely engage in lethal combat with established competitors. Instead, males establish and defend small territories within their natal nests. The species shows considerable genetic diversity across its native range, with multiple mtDNA lineages detected in South Africa, Angola, and Côte d'Ivoire that are morphologically and nuclearly similar, indicating a complex taxonomic history.
Marauder Ants, Carebara Thief Ants
Carebara is a large genus of myrmicine ants comprising over 200 species distributed worldwide in tropical and Afrotropical regions. These ants are among the smallest known, with workers often barely visible to the naked eye. The genus exhibits remarkable worker polymorphism, including specialized soldier castes with phragmotic (door-blocking) head shapes in some African species. Queens are notably much larger than workers, creating one of the most extreme size dimorphisms in ants. Many species are cryptic inhabitants of soil and leaf litter, with poorly known biology.
Cerapachyini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Dorylinae, historically classified under Ponerinae. Members of this tribe are specialized predators known for raiding behavior. Some genera, such as Sphinctomyrmex, exhibit functional polygyny with multiple egg-laying queens coexisting without conflict, and display brood periodicity with synchronized brood development cycles. The tribe has undergone taxonomic revision, with current classification placing it within Dorylinae rather than Ponerinae.
Gate-keeper Ants
Colobopsis is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae, first described by Mayr in 1861 and containing approximately 95 species. The genus is distinguished by pronounced worker caste dimorphism, with major workers possessing phragmotic (truncate, plug-shaped) heads used to block nest entrances. Members of the Colobopsis cylindrica group exhibit autothysis, a defensive behavior where minor workers rupture their gaster to release sticky, irritant mandibular gland secretions. The genus nests primarily in plant material including wood, galls, and dead branches. Colobopsis was historically treated as a subgenus of Camponotus but was restored to full generic status following a 2015 phylogenomic study that identified it as sister to all remaining Camponotini.
Colobopsis papago is a species of ant in the genus Colobopsis, family Formicidae. The species was first described by William S. Creighton in 1953. Like other members of the genus, it exhibits the characteristic morphological traits associated with the Colobopsis group, including specialized major workers with modified heads. The species is part of a genus known for diverse defensive strategies, though specific behavioral documentation for C. papago remains limited.
Acrobat Ants, Cocktail Ants, Saint Valentine Ants
Crematogaster is a large, ecologically diverse genus of ants with over 520 described species distributed worldwide. The genus is characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised forward over the thorax and head when alarmed, a behavior that has earned them the common names "cocktail ants" and "acrobat ants." Most species are arboreal, though some are ground-nesting. They exhibit complex social behaviors including cooperative hunting, trail-based recruitment, and defensive venom spraying.
Crematogaster hespera is a species of acrobat ant in the family Formicidae, described by Buren in 1968. The genus Crematogaster is characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when disturbed, a trait that gives these ants their common name. As with other members of this large, globally distributed genus, C. hespera is likely associated with woodland and forest habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, suggesting ongoing contemporary interest from naturalists.
Crematogaster navajoa is a species of acrobat ant described by Buren in 1968. As a member of the genus Crematogaster, it shares the characteristic heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when disturbed. The species is poorly documented in publicly available sources, with no observations recorded on iNaturalist and no Wikipedia summary available. Its taxonomic status is accepted, and it is classified within the diverse ant family Formicidae.
Crematogastrini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae, comprising approximately 64 extant genera and 8 fossil genera. Members of this tribe are distributed globally and exhibit considerable morphological and ecological diversity. The tribe includes the well-known genus Crematogaster, which is among the most species-rich ant genera worldwide. Crematogastrini ants are primarily arboreal or ground-nesting, with many species establishing mutualistic relationships with plants and other insects.
Dalmosanus is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae. The genus was established by Park in 1952 and contains at least three described species distributed in North America. These beetles belong to the subfamily Pselaphinae, a diverse group of small rove beetles often associated with social insects.
Dolichoderini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Dolichoderinae, established by Forel in 1878. The tribe includes the genus Dolichoderus, which has a global distribution. Members of this tribe are characterized by morphological features that distinguish them from other dolichoderine tribes, particularly in mandibular structure and petiole morphology. The tribe represents a well-supported monophyletic group within the ant phylogeny.
Dolichoderus is a genus of ants comprising 181 valid species (131 extant, 50 extinct), representing the sole member of tribe Dolichoderini and type genus of subfamily Dolichoderinae. Workers are small (approximately 4 mm), possess a thick sculptured integument, and lack a functional sting. The genus exhibits remarkable ecological diversity: most species are generalist honeydew collectors that tend aphids and scale insects, while the D. cuspidatus group in Southeast Asia practices unique nomadic aphid farming with obligate mutualist mealybugs. The genus has an extensive fossil record in Baltic amber.
Army Ants and Allies
Dorylinae is a diverse ant subfamily comprising approximately 27 genera distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The subfamily was substantially revised in 2014 when Brady et al. synonymized five previously recognized dorylomorph subfamilies (Aenictinae, Aenictogitoninae, Cerapachyinae, Ecitoninae, and Leptanilloidinae) under Dorylinae, and further refined by Borowiec (2016) who resurrected numerous genera. The group includes the classic 'army ants' exhibiting the 'army ant adaptive syndrome'—characterized by group foraging, nomadism, and specialized queens—though not all members display these traits. Molecular evidence suggests Dorylinae genera originated between 102 and 74 million years ago, followed by rapid adaptive radiation.
pyramid ants, cone ants
Dorymyrmex is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, commonly known as pyramid ants or cone ants. The genus exhibits an amphitropical distribution pattern, with highest diversity concentrated in arid temperate regions of North and South America rather than tropical zones. Phylogenomic studies have identified four major species groups: D. flavescens, tener, wolffhuegeli, and pyramicus groups. The genus has undergone rapid evolutionary radiation, particularly in the pyramicus group, presenting ongoing taxonomic challenges.
Ectaheteromorph Ants
Ectatomminae is a subfamily of ants established in 2003 when Barry Bolton divided the former Ponerinae into six subfamilies. It currently comprises two tribes (Ectatommini and Heteroponerini) with approximately 13 extant genera and three extinct genera. The subfamily was further consolidated in 2022 when Heteroponerinae was merged into Ectatomminae, and this taxonomic position was upheld by genomic reanalysis in 2024. Members are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Neotropics.
Elasmosoma is a small genus of ant-parasitoid wasps in the family Braconidae, subfamily Euphorinae, tribe Neoneurini. Species are minute, typically under 2.0 mm in length, and are specialized endoparasites of adult Formicidae ants. Females attack host workers in flight, alighting briefly to oviposit into the abdomen. The genus comprises approximately 13 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Europe, Asia, and North America. The host-parasite association represents a well-balanced system that has persisted for at least 40 million years.
eucharitid wasps, ant parasitoid wasps
Eucharitidae is a family of highly specialized parasitoid wasps in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The family contains approximately 55 genera and over 400 species distributed across four subfamilies: Akapalinae, Eucharitinae, Gollumiellinae, and Oraseminae. Eucharitids are unique among parasitoids in their ability to exploit ants as hosts, overcoming the sophisticated defense systems that typically protect ant colonies. Most species are tropical, though some extend into temperate regions.
Eucharitinae is a subfamily of chalcid wasps within Eucharitidae, established by Walker in 1846. Members are parasitoids of ants, with larvae developing inside ant colonies after being transported by worker ants. The subfamily is distinguished by specialized life history adaptations involving ant host exploitation.
Eupsenius is a genus of ant-loving beetles in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. The genus contains approximately six described species distributed primarily in North America. Members of this genus are myrmecophilous, living in association with ant colonies. The genus was established by John Lawrence LeConte in 1849.
Falagriini is a tribe of rove beetles within the subfamily Aleocharinae, containing approximately 11 genera and at least 20 described species. The tribe includes several myrmecophilous genera, with some species exhibiting associations with ants. Phylogenetic studies have clarified relationships within the tribe, including the recovery of Sceptobiini as nested within Falagriini.
Forelius is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, distributed across the Neotropical region from the southern United States to Argentina. The genus comprises at least 18 described species, including F. pruinosus, which has been documented as a native mutualist with plants and as a participant in ecological interactions with sea turtle nests. Species in this genus produce characteristic defensive secretions containing iridodial and iridomyrmecin.
wood ants, mound ants, field ants
Formica is a large and ecologically significant genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae, commonly known as wood ants, mound ants, or field ants. The genus includes species with diverse life histories, ranging from free-living colony founders to facultative and obligate social parasites. Many species construct conspicuous earthen mounds that can reach several feet in diameter and height, while others nest in dead wood. Formica ants are notable for their complex social structures, including both single-queen (monogynous) and multiple-queen (polygynous) colonies, with social organization sometimes controlled by supergenes. The genus serves as host for specialized slave-making ants in the genus Polyergus and supports diverse communities of myrmecophilous organisms.
dakotensis-group Mound Ants
Formica dakotensis is a mound-building ant species in the genus Formica, native to North America. A four-year field study in Quebec documented stable populations with mean colony densities of approximately 172 colonies per hectare in spruce bog habitats. The species exhibits annual colony turnover rates around 18-24%, with colony longevity estimated from continuous nest occupation patterns. Its nest-building behavior has been hypothesized as a potential evolutionary step toward polycalism in the genus.
Pitted Mound Ant
Formica fossaceps is a species of mound-building ant in the genus Formica, family Formicidae. It was described by Buren in 1942 and is classified within the Formica rufa species group. The common name "Pitted Mound Ant" refers to a distinctive morphological feature of the species. Like other members of the Formicinae subfamily, it is characterized by a single petiole node and the absence of a sting.
integra-group Field and Mound Ants
Formica integra is a mound-building ant species in the genus Formica, characterized by its polygynous colony structure with multiple queens coexisting within a single nest. The species inhabits open, sunny environments and constructs distinctive above-ground nest mounds in well-drained soils. It has been studied for its nest construction behavior, trophallaxis (food exchange between individuals), and interspecific confrontation behaviors.
Bright Mound Ant
Formica neoclara is a socially polymorphic ant species distributed across western North America. The species exhibits alternative colony social structures—either single-queen (monogyne) or multiple-queen (polygyne)—controlled by a social supergene on chromosome 3. Polygyne colonies uniquely contain all three supergene genotypes, including workers homozygous for the monogyne-associated haplotype, a pattern not observed in other Formica species studied.
Oregon Field Ant
Formica oregonensis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Cole in 1938. It belongs to the genus Formica, a large and ecologically diverse group of ants found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. The species is known by the common name Oregon Field Ant. As a member of Formicinae, it lacks a stinger and instead uses formic acid for defense. Beyond basic taxonomic information, specific biological details about this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.
Pacific Field Ant
Formica pacifica is a medium-sized ant species native to the Pacific Coast of North America, ranging from British Columbia to the western United States. It belongs to the Formica fusca species group, a diverse assemblage of morphologically similar ants. Colonies can reach several thousand workers and are known for their fast, aggressive worker behavior and territorial conflicts with neighboring colonies. The species thrives in both forested habitats and human-altered environments.
Formica xerophila is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, described by Smith in 1939. The species name 'xerophila' (Greek: xeros=dry, philia=loving) indicates adaptation to dry or drought-prone environments. Research has documented notable behavioral characteristics, including temperature-dependent aggression and coordinated group behavior mediated by direct physical contact between nestmates.
formicine ants
Formicinae is a large and diverse subfamily of ants characterized by a single-segmented petiole in the form of a vertical scale, reduced stings, and the production of formic acid as a defensive compound. Members retain several primitive features including cocoons around pupae and ocelli in workers. The subfamily includes familiar ants such as carpenter ants (Camponotus), weaver ants (Oecophylla), and honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus). Formicines exhibit diverse ecological strategies including mutualism with sap-feeding hemipterans and specialized slave-making behaviors in some lineages.
Genuchinus is a genus of myrmecophilous scarab beetles comprising approximately 10 described species. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, though specific details of these relationships remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Westwood in 1874 and is classified within the tribe Cremastocheilini, subtribe Cremastocheilina. Most species have been described from Central and South America.
clown beetle
Haeterius blanchardi is a myrmecophilous clown beetle (family Histeridae) native to the eastern United States. The species is known to inhabit colonies of the ant Formica pallidefulva, though its precise ecological relationship with the host remains incompletely documented. Adults have been recorded from Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The larvae have not been formally described.
Hybrizon flavocinctus is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. Members of this subfamily are specialized ant parasitoids, representing the third most diverse group of ant parasitoid wasps after Eucharitidae and Neoneurini. The species was described by Ashmead in 1894. As with other Hybrizontinae, it is presumed to parasitize ants, though specific host records and behavioral observations for H. flavocinctus remain undocumented in the available literature.
Hybrizon rileyi is a species of parasitoid wasp in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. All members of this subfamily are specialized ant parasitoids, representing the third most diverse group of ant parasitoid wasps after Eucharitidae and Neoneurini. The species was described by Ashmead in 1889. Like other Hybrizontinae, it likely parasitizes ant larvae, though specific host records for this species remain poorly documented.
The subfamily Hybrizontinae comprises ant parasitoid wasps within Ichneumonidae, representing the third most diverse group of ant parasitoids after Eucharitidae and Neoneurini. All members are specialized parasitoids of ant societies. The subfamily exhibits two distinct host-searching strategies: an active strategy where females hover over ant trails to attack larvae carried by workers, and an ambush strategy where females hang from vegetation along trails to oviposit undetected.
Kapala is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Eucharitidae, established by Cameron in 1884. The genus is the most common and widely distributed eucharitine genus in the Neotropics, associated with poneromorph ants as hosts. Eucharitid wasps are highly specialized parasitoids whose larvae develop inside ant colonies.
Lac insects, Lac scales
Kerriidae is a family of scale insects in the order Hemiptera, commonly known as lac insects or lac scales. Members secrete a protective waxy resin called lac, which is commercially harvested and processed into shellac, dyes, food glazes, and wood finishes. The family includes economically important genera such as Kerria, Tachardina, and Paratachardina, with Kerria lacca being the most widely cultivated species for lac production. Some species have become invasive pests outside their native ranges, while others are valued for their role in sustainable agroecosystems.
Citronella Ants, Fuzzy Ants, Moisture Ants, Yellow Ants, Lemon Ants
Lasius is a genus of formicine ants comprising approximately 100 species distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, including free-living species, temporary social parasites, and the hyper-social parasite Lasius fuliginosus. Many species are known as "citronella ants" due to their production of citronellal, a lemon-scented defensive compound. Lasius species are significant ecosystem engineers that modify soil properties and engage in mutualistic relationships with root-feeding aphids, herding them for honeydew production.
Mound-building Swamp Ant
Lasius minutus is a species of ant in the genus Lasius, commonly known as the Mound-building Swamp Ant. It is a small formicine ant that constructs mounds in wetland habitats. The species has been studied using radioactive phosphorus tracing to understand colony distribution and spatial organization. It belongs to a genus known for citronella-scented defensive compounds and aphid-tending behaviors, though species-specific traits for L. minutus require direct observation.
Pale-legged Fuzzy Ant
Lasius pallitarsis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Pale-legged Fuzzy Ant. It belongs to the diverse genus Lasius, which includes species known as citronella ants or yellow ants due to their production of lemon-scented citronellal. The species has been the subject of behavioral studies examining how workers explore novel areas and use chemical orientation cues.
Razorjaw Ants
Leptogenys is the most diverse genus in the ant subfamily Ponerinae, with over 260 described species distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus exhibits remarkable morphological and behavioral diversity, ranging from large-eyed epigaeic species that forage above ground to small-eyed cryptobiotic species inhabiting soil and leaf litter. Many species possess distinctive falcate, bowed mandibles and specialize on isopod prey. Most species have ergatoid (worker-like) queens rather than typical winged queens.