Dorylinae
Guides
Acanthostichus
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.
Cerapachyini
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.
Neivamyrmex
Legionary Ants
Neivamyrmex is a genus of New World army ants comprising approximately 129 species. Colonies are nomadic, establishing temporary bivouacs nightly rather than constructing permanent nests. Most species are predominantly subterranean, with occasional surface foraging at night or during overcast conditions. The genus is distinguished from related army ants by workers lacking a subapical tooth on the tarsal claw.
Neivamyrmex harrisii
Harris' Legionary Ant
Neivamyrmex harrisii is a species of legionary ant in the family Formicidae. Like other members of the genus Neivamyrmex, it is a nomadic, mostly nocturnal ant that raids the nests of other ant species to prey on larvae and pupae. The species is part of a group of ants that includes army ants, characterized by their raiding behavior and lack of permanent nests. Colonies are known to be sedentary during winter months.
Neivamyrmex kiowapache
Neivamyrmex kiowapache is a species of legionary ant in the subfamily Dorylinae, described by Snelling & Snelling in 2007. As a member of the genus Neivamyrmex, it belongs to a group of nomadic army ants that conduct nocturnal raids on other ant nests to prey on larvae and pupae. The species is known from extremely limited observational records, with only three observations documented in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff.
Neivamyrmex swainsonii
Swainson's Legionary Ant
Neivamyrmex swainsonii is a species of legionary ant in the family Formicidae, native to South America. It belongs to the genus Neivamyrmex, which comprises nomadic army ants known for raiding the nests of other ant species. The species exhibits the typical legionary ant lifestyle: colonies are nomadic during active periods, with workers foraging nocturnally in groups to prey on larvae and pupae of other ants. Like other Neivamyrmex species, N. swainsonii is associated with specialized myrmecophilous beetles, particularly clown beetles in the subfamily Hetaeriinae that live as guests within ant colonies.
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii is a species of army ant in the subfamily Dorylinae. It is one of the largest army ant species and is known for its specialized predatory behavior. The species is distributed across much of South America, with records from Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. It is recognized as a specialized predator of other ants, particularly Atta leafcutter ants.
Syscia
Syscia is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dorylinae, containing 38 described species. The genus was established by Roger in 1861, later treated as a subgenus of Cerapachys, and resurrected as valid by Borowiec (2016). It has a discontinuous distribution across Eastern Asia, North America, and South America, and is part of the cryptic leaf-litter ant fauna.