Pheidole
Guides
Pheidole adrianoi
Florida Rosemary Big-headed Ant
Pheidole adrianoi is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Naves in 1985. The species is known from Florida, where it has been recorded in association with Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) habitats. As with other members of the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, this species exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Pheidole barbata
Bearded Big-headed Ant
Pheidole barbata is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Wheeler in 1908. The common name "Bearded Big-headed Ant" refers to distinctive pilosity characteristic of this species. As with other members of its hyperdiverse genus, it exhibits the characteristic dimorphic worker caste system with minor workers and major soldiers bearing disproportionately enlarged heads. The species belongs to the Myrmicinae subfamily and is part of the Attini tribe, though it is not a fungus-growing ant like the true attines.
Pheidole californica
California Big-headed Ant
Pheidole californica is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, characterized by the presence of dimorphic worker castes including small workers and large-headed soldiers. The species belongs to the diverse myrmicine ant fauna of western North America. Like other Pheidole species, it exhibits the classic soldier-worker caste system where soldiers possess disproportionately enlarged heads and mandibles used for defense and food processing. The species was described by Mayr in 1870 and includes two recognized subspecies: P. c. californica and P. c. oregonica.
Pheidole clementensis
San Clemente Island Big-headed Ant
Pheidole clementensis is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Gregg in 1969. It is endemic to San Clemente Island, California, and is recognized as a distinct species within the highly diverse genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally. Like other Pheidole species, it exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct soldier and minor worker castes.
Pheidole constipata
Pheidole constipata is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Wheeler in 1908. The genus Pheidole is hyperdiverse, containing at least 1,000 species in the New World alone, and is characterized by a worker caste polymorphism that includes minor workers and soldier ants with disproportionately large heads. As with other members of this genus, P. constipata exhibits this distinctive soldier caste, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pheidole desertorum
Desert Big-headed Ant
Pheidole desertorum is a desert-dwelling ant in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, characterized by large colony sizes and pronounced worker polymorphism. Colonies contain 2,460–24,814 adult workers, making them exceptionally large for the genus. The species exhibits nocturnal foraging during summer months and employs multiple nests as an anti-predator defense strategy. Mating occurs following summer rainfall, with males forming aerial swarms prior to sunrise. Colony foundation is typically haplometrotic, though pleometrotic associations with workers occur.
Pheidole floridana
Pheidole floridana is a species of ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Carlo Emery in 1895. The species is part of the highly diverse and ecologically significant genus Pheidole, which is characterized by its distinctive worker caste polymorphism featuring minor workers and major workers (soldiers) with enlarged heads. Specific biological details for P. floridana are limited in available sources.
Pheidole inquilina
Pheidole inquilina is a species of ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Wheeler in 1903. It is endemic to the United States. The species belongs to the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally and is characterized by pronounced worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes.
Pheidole pelor
Pheidole pelor is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by E.O. Wilson in 2003. It belongs to one of the most diverse ant genera, with over 1,000 species in the New World alone. The species exhibits the characteristic worker polymorphism of the genus, with distinct major and minor worker castes. Information regarding its specific biology, distribution, and ecology remains limited in published literature.
Pheidole porcula
Pheidole porcula is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Wheeler in 1908. As a member of this hyperdiverse ant genus, it exhibits the characteristic worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes. The species is placed within the tribe Attini, though unlike the well-known fungus-growing ants in this tribe, most Pheidole species are generalist foragers. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in available literature.
Pheidole sitiens
Pheidole sitiens is a species of big-headed ant described by E.O. Wilson in 2003. As a member of the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, it exhibits the characteristic dimorphic worker caste system with minor workers and major workers (soldiers) bearing disproportionately large heads. The species is part of the Attini tribe within Myrmicinae, placing it among the fungus-growing ants, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented.
Pheidole tepicana
Tepic Big-headed Ant
Pheidole tepicana is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Pergande in 1896. It belongs to the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species and is characterized by its dimorphic worker castes. The species is found in the southwestern United States and Mexico, placing it within a region of high native ant diversity.
Pheidole virago
helmet beetle
Pheidole virago is a species of big-headed ant in the family Formicidae, described by Wheeler in 1915. The species is part of the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, which is characterized by pronounced worker polymorphism with distinct soldier and minor worker castes. Information about this specific species is extremely limited in scientific literature.
Pheidole xerophila
Pheidole xerophila is a species of ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Wheeler in 1908. As a member of this hyperdiverse genus, it exhibits worker caste dimorphism with distinct minor and major worker morphs. The specific epithet 'xerophila' suggests an association with dry or arid environments. The species is documented in the Catalogue of Life and GBIF as accepted, with observations recorded on iNaturalist.