Doorkeeper-ants

Guides

• Colobopsis etiolata

  Pale Gate-keeper Ant

  Colobopsis etiolata is a species of ant in the genus Colobopsis, originally described by Wheeler in 1904. It belongs to a genus characterized by specialized defensive castes, including 'doorkeeper' majors with enlarged, plug-shaped heads used to block nest entrances. The species is part of the Colobopsis cylindrica group, which includes the well-known 'exploding ants' that exhibit autothysis (self-sacrificial body rupture) as a defensive mechanism. As a member of this group, C. etiolata likely shares the arboreal, canopy-dwelling habits typical of these Southeast Asian forest ants.

  FormicidaeFormicinaeCamponotiniColobopsisexploding-antsautothysisdoorkeeper-antsarboreal-antsSoutheast-AsiaColobopsis-cylindrica-group