Crater-nest
Guides
Dorymyrmex bicolor
Bicolored Pyramid Ant
Dorymyrmex bicolor is a small ant species (~2-3 mm) in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, commonly known as the bicolored pyramid ant. It exhibits distinctive two-toned coloration and builds conspicuous crater-shaped nest mounds in bare soil. The species lacks a functional sting and instead relies on chemical defense via a slit-like acidopore. Native to arid and semi-arid regions of the Americas, it is a dominant, disturbance-tolerant species with significant ecological roles in seed dispersal and plant germination. Recent phylogeographic studies indicate complex population structure shaped by topographic barriers and incomplete lineage sorting.