Checklist

Formicidae Checklist: Ants

on
6 May 2020

Ants are fascinating, eusocial insects belonging to the family Formicidae and have captured the imagination of humans for centuries. With over 12,000 species known to science, these tiny insects have been recorded on every continent on Earth except Antarctica. Ants thrive so well in most environments that they may form up to 25% of terrestrial animal biomass[1].

Ant Behaviour

Ants are highly social insects that live in colonies or communities. These colonies can range in size from just a few individuals to millions of ants, depending on the species. Ants are known for their incredible work ethic and their ability to work together to achieve a common goal. They are highly organised and communicate with each other using a complex system of pheromones to find food, navigate, and communicate with each other.

Social Structure of Ants

Ants have a complex social structure that is based on a hierarchy. At the top of the hierarchy is the queen ant, who is the mother of all the other ants in the colony. The queen ant is responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the survival of the colony. The worker ants are responsible for caring for the young, foraging for food, and defending the colony.

Nuptial Flight

The nuptial flight of ants is a reproductive strategy that is observed in many ant species. The winged male and female ants from different colonies leave their nests and take to the air to mate when certain environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and the availability of food are met. Mating with individuals from other colonies ensures genetic diversity and avoids genetic issues that come with inbreeding. In general, nuptial flights tend to occur after the rain as there would be sufficient moisture for the queen to establish a new colony. During the nuptial flight, the queen ant will release pheromones to signal to the male ants that it is time to take to the air. The males will then swarm around the queen and attempt to mate with her. By natural selection, the strongest males would get to mate with the queen to pass on the strongest genes.

The male ants will die soon after mating, while the female ants will lose its wings and attempt to find a suitable place to establish a new colony. This is a critical time for the female ants, as they must find a location that provides safety and sufficient resources for them to start a new colony.

Sesame seed ant (Calyptomyrmex sp.) - PB141754

A female dealate showing a larger thorax and wing scars

In ants, “alate” refers to the winged individuals. Conversely, “dealate” refers to those that have shed its wings. Dealate individuals can be recognised by its wing scars. Females tend to have a larger thorax as it requires more muscles for the wings to fly further in search of a suitable spot for its new colony.

Ecological Importance of Ants

Ants are an important part of many ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature. They are important predators, controlling the populations of other insects, and they also help to disperse seeds and aerate the soil. Ants are also important decomposers, breaking down organic matter and recycling nutrients.

In agriculture, ants are important pollinators and natural pest controllers. They can be used as a natural alternative to pesticides, reducing the need for harmful chemicals in farming.[2]

Ants as Pets

Ants can make fascinating and low-maintenance pets for people who are interested in observing the behaviour and social structure of these fascinating insects up close. However, it is important to obtain them legally and ethically, provide them with suitable habitats and food, and research their behaviour to ensure their safety and well-being. With the proper care and attention, ants can make wonderful and low-maintenance pets for those interested in the fascinating world of these incredible insects.

Identification

Ants have distinctively elbowed antennae and slender waists formed by nodular structures.

Most identifications here were made with reference to keys and photographs on AntWiki, as well as help from kind folks from the Myrmecologists Facebook group.

All photos are of live subjects shot in the field. Click on individual photos for larger views and views from other angles. As specimens were not collected, identifications were done based purely on photographs and may not be 100% accurate.

This page will be updated regularly, please let me know if you spot any mistakes.

View my complete Flickr photo set: Formicidae – Ants.

Region Filters

Click on any region to show only records from that region.

Class: Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Order: Hymenoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family: Formicidae Latreille, 1809

Subfamily: Dolichoderinae Forel, 1878

Tribe: Dolichoderini Forel, 1878

Genus: Dolichoderus Lund, 1831

Ant (Dolichoderus sp.) - DSC_8126

East Malaysia: Dolichoderus sp.

Ants (Dolichoderus thoracicus) - ESC_0030

Singapore: Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith, F., 1860) workers

Ant (Dolichoderus sp.) - DSC_4649

West Malaysia: Dolichoderus sp.

Odorous ant (Dolichoderus attelaboides) - P6078519

Ecuador: Dolichoderus attelaboides (Fabricius, 1775)

Ant (Dolichoderus thoracicus) - P5219759

Singapore: Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith, F., 1860)

Ant (Dolichoderus thoracicus) - P5219763

Singapore: Dolichoderus thoracicus (Smith, F., 1860)

Ants (Dolichoderus bispinosus) - DSC_8480

Belize: Dolichoderus bispinosus (Olivier, 1792)

Ant (Dolichoderus bispinosus) - DSC_9950

Belize: Dolichoderus bispinosus (Olivier, 1792)

Tribe: Tapinomini Emery, 1913

Genus: Technomyrmex Mayr, 1872

Ant (Technomyrmex modiglianii) - P3165177

West Malaysia: Technomyrmex modiglianii Emery, 1900

Ant (Technomyrmex modiglianii) - P3165178

West Malaysia: Technomyrmex modiglianii Emery, 1900

Ant (Technomyrmex sp.) - DSC_0555

Singapore: cf. Technomyrmex sp.

Tribe: Unknown

Winged ant (Dolichoderinae) - DSC_2305

Singapore: Dolichoderinae ♂

Subfamily: Dorylinae Leach, 1815

Genus: Labidus Jurine, 1807

Rain ants (cf. Labidus praedator) - DSC_4035

Peru: cf. Labidus praedator (Smith, F., 1858)

Army ants (Labidus spininodis) - P6122164

Ecuador: Labidus spininodis (Emery, 1890)

Subfamily: Ectatomminae Emery, 1895

Tribe: Ectatommini Emery, 1895

Genus: Ectatomma Smith, F., 1858

Ant (Ectatomma lugens) - P6100870

Ecuador: Ectatomma lugens Emery, 1894

Ant (Ectatomma tuberculatum) - P6089089

Ecuador: Ectatomma tuberculatum (Olivier, 1792)

Ant (Ectatomma sp.) - P6100966

Ecuador: Ectatomma sp.

Genus: Gnamptogenys Roger, 1863

Ant (Gnamptogenys tortuolosa) - P6099922

Ecuador: Gnamptogenys tortuolosa (Smith, F., 1858)

Genus: Stictoponera Mayr, 1887

Ant (Stictoponera cf. menadensis) - DSC_7898

East Malaysia: Stictoponera cf. menadensis (Mayr, 1887)

Ant (Stictoponera cf. menadensis) - DSC_7904

East Malaysia: Stictoponera cf. menadensis (Mayr, 1887)

Ant (Stictoponera menadensis) - P1218919

West Malaysia: Stictoponera menadensis (Mayr, 1887)

Ant (Stictoponera menadensis) - P1218922

West Malaysia: Stictoponera menadensis (Mayr, 1887)

Ant (Stictoponera sp.) - DSC_6645

West Malaysia: Stictoponera cf. menadensis (Mayr, 1887)

Subfamily: Formicinae Latreille, 1809

Tribe: Camponotini Forel, 1878

Genus: Calomyrmex Emery, 1895

Ant (Calomyrmex sp.) - DSC_5558

East Malaysia: Calomyrmex sp.

Ant (Calomyrmex sp.) - DSC_5561

East Malaysia: Calomyrmex sp.

Genus: Camponotus Mayr, 1861

Ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_4178

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_9545

West Malaysia: Camponotus sp.

Ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_4052

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_2396

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Winged ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_0615

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Winged ant (Camponotus sp.) - DSC_0682

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant alate (Camponotus sp.) - ESC_0030

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant alate (Camponotus sp.) - ESC_0038

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant (cf. Camponotus sp.) - DSC_8850

Singapore: cf. Camponotus sp.

Ant (cf. Camponotus sp.) - DSC_9650

Singapore: cf. Camponotus sp.

Ant (Formicidae) - DSC_0939

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant (Formicidae) - DSC_0937

Singapore: Camponotus sp.

Ant (Camponotus nitidior) - P6100488

Ecuador: Camponotus nitidior (Santschi, 1921)

Ant (Camponotus sp.) - P6143293

Ecuador: Camponotus sp.

Genus: Colobopsis Mayr, 1861

Ant (Colobopsis sp.) - DSC_4902

East Malaysia: Colobopsis saundersi (Emery, 1889) complex

Ant (Colobopsis saundersi) - DSC_4908

East Malaysia: Colobopsis saundersi (Emery, 1889) complex

Ant (cf. Colobopsis sp.) - DSC_3755

West Malaysia: cf. Colobopsis sp. DSC_3755

Ant (Colobopsis sp.) - P8287929

West Malaysia: cf. Colobopsis sp. P8287929

Genus: Dinomyrmex Ashmead, 1905

Giant forest ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) - DSC_7697

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Giant forest ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) - DSC_7692

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Giant forest ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) - DSC_7794

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Giant forest ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) - DSC_7788

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Giant forest ant (Dinomyrmex gigas) - PA160660

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Genus: Echinopla Smith, F., 1857

Ant (Echinopla circulus) - P7052464

East Malaysia: Echinopla circulus Zettel & Laciny, 2015

Ant (Echinopla circulus) - P7052461

East Malaysia: Echinopla circulus Zettel & Laciny, 2015

Blue ant (Echinopla densistriata) - DSC_9115

West Malaysia: Echinopla densistriata Stitz, 1938

Blue ant (Echinopla densistriata) - DSC_9119

West Malaysia: Echinopla densistriata Stitz, 1938

Blue ant (Echinopla densistriata) - DSC_9127

West Malaysia: Echinopla densistriata Stitz, 1938

Ant (Echinopla melanarctos) - DSC_5004

East Malaysia: Echinopla melanarctos Smith, F., 1857

Winged ant (Echinopla melanarctos) - DSC_3983

East Malaysia: Echinopla melanarctos Smith, F., 1857

Winged ant (Echinopla melanarctos) - DSC_3984

East Malaysia: Echinopla melanarctos Smith, F., 1857

Blue ant (Echinopla striata) - DSC_8914

Singapore: Echinopla striata Smith, F., 1857

Blue ant (Echinopla striata) - DSC_8916

Singapore: Echinopla striata Smith, F., 1857

Blue ant (cf. Echinopla striata) - DSC_6260

West Malaysia: cf. Echinopla striata Smith, F., 1857

Blue ant (cf. Echinopla striata) - DSC_6269

West Malaysia: cf. Echinopla striata Smith, F., 1857

Echinopla sp. - DSC_5806

West Malaysia: Echinopla sp.

Echinopla sp. - DSC_5809

West Malaysia: Echinopla sp.

Genus: Polyrhachis Smith, F., 1857

Ant (cf. Polyrhachis boltoni) - DSC_4301

West Malaysia: cf. Polyrhachis boltoni Dorow & Kohout, 1995

Fishhook ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_9658

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis bellicosa Smith, F., 1859 or
Polyrhachis olybria Forel, 1912

Fish Hook Ant (Polyrhachis bihamata) - DSC_5245

Cambodia: Polyrhachis bihamata (Drury, 1773)

Fish Hook Ant (Polyrhachis bihamata) - DSC_4349

Thailand: Polyrhachis bihamata (Drury, 1773)

Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon) - DSC_3481

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis ypsilon Emery, 1887

Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon) - DSC_3477

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis ypsilon Emery, 1887

Ant (Polyrhachis cf. armata) - ESC_0033

Singapore: Polyrhachis cf. armata (Le Guillou, 1842)

Ant (Polyrhachis armata) - DSC_5590

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis armata (Le Guillou, 1842)

Ant (Polyrhachis cf. thrinax) - DSC_9032

West Malaysia: Polyrhachis cf. thrinax Roger, 1863

Ant (Polyrhachis cf. thrinax) - DSC_9036

West Malaysia: Polyrhachis cf. thrinax Roger, 1863

Ant (Polyrhachis rufipes) - DSC_4642

West Malaysia: Polyrhachis rufipes Smith, F., 1858

Ant (Polyrhachis rufipes) - DSC_4644

West Malaysia: Polyrhachis rufipes Smith, F., 1858

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_0784

Thailand: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_9884

Singapore: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_9280

Singapore: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_4817

West Malaysia: Polyrhachis sp.

Golden blue ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_3433

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis sp.

Golden blue ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_3429

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Polyrhachis furcata) - DSC_4764

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis furcata Smith, F., 1858

Ant (Polyrhachis furcata) - DSC_7224

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis furcata Smith, F., 1858

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_8130

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Polyrhachis sp.) - DSC_8603

Singapore: Polyrhachis sp.

Ants (Polyrhachis saevissima) - PB041362

Singapore: Polyrhachis saevissima Smith, F., 1860

Tribe: Gigantiopini Ashmead, 1905

Genus: Gigantiops Roger, 1863

Jumping ant (Gigantiops destructor) - P6100882

Ecuador: Gigantiops destructor (Fabricius, 1804)

Jumping ant (Gigantiops destructor) - P6100884

Ecuador: Gigantiops destructor (Fabricius, 1804)

Tribe: Lasiini Ashmead, 1905

Genus: Paraparatrechina Donisthorpe, 1947

Blue ant (Paraparatrechina malaccana) - PA109748

Singapore: Paraparatrechina malaccana (Viehmeyer, 1916)

Blue ant (Paraparatrechina malaccana) - PA109732

Singapore: Paraparatrechina malaccana (Viehmeyer, 1916)

Tribe: Myrmoteratini Emery, 1895

Genus: Myrmoteras Forel, 1893

Trapjaw ant (Myrmoteras cf. opalinum) - PB204016

Thailand: Myrmoteras cf. opalinum Bui, Eguchi & Yamane, 2013

Trapjaw ant (Myrmoteras cf. opalinum) - PB204028

Thailand: Myrmoteras cf. opalinum Bui, Eguchi & Yamane, 2013

Tribe: Oecophyllini Emery, 1895

Genus: Oecophylla Smith, F., 1860

Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - DSC_9514

Singapore: Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - DSC_9504

Singapore: Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Red Weaver Ant vs Crematogaster sp. - DSC_3746

Singapore: Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Tribe: Plagiolepidini Fore., 1886

Genus: Anoplolepis Santschi, 1914

Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) - DSC_4211

Singapore: Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith, F., 1857)

Yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) - DSC_4220

Singapore: Anoplolepis gracilipes (Smith, F., 1857)

Subfamily: Myrmicinae Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835

Tribe: Attini Smith, 1858

Genus: Acromyrmex Mayr, 1865

Leaf-cutter ant (Acromyrmex sp.) - DSC_8905

Belize: Acromyrmex sp.

Leaf-cutter ant (Acromyrmex sp.) - DSC_8910

Belize: Acromyrmex sp.

Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex sp.) - P6078204

Ecuador: Acromyrmex sp.

Leafcutter ant (Acromyrmex sp.) - P6078205

Ecuador: Acromyrmex sp.

Genus: Aphaenogaster Mayr, 1853

Ant (cf. Aphaenogaster feae) - DSC_7501

Singapore: cf. Aphaenogaster feae Emery, 1889

Genus: Apterostigma Mayr, 1865

Fungus-farming ant (Apterostigma sp.) - P6122025

Ecuador: Apterostigma sp.

Fungus-farming ant (Apterostigma sp.) - P6122024

Ecuador: Apterostigma sp.

Genus: Atta Fabricius, 1804

Leaf-cutter ant (Atta sp.) - DSC_9090

Belize: Atta sp.

Leaf-cutter ant (Atta sp.) - DSC_9117

Belize: Atta sp.

Genus: Cephalotes Latreille, 1802

Turtle ant (Cephalotes cristatus) - DSC_8663

Belize: Cephalotes cristatus (Emery, 1890)

Turtle ant (Cephalotes cristatus) - DSC_8674

Belize: Cephalotes cristatus (Emery, 1890)

Giant turtle ant (Cephalotes atratus) - P6078646

Ecuador: Cephalotes atratus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Giant turtle ant (Cephalotes atratus) - P6078648

Ecuador: Cephalotes atratus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus: Daceton Perty, 1833

Ant (Daceton armigerum) - P6088856

Ecuador: Daceton armigerum (Latreille, 1802)

Ant (Daceton armigerum) - P6088870

Ecuador: Daceton armigerum (Latreille, 1802)

Genus: Pheidole Westwood, 1839

Big-headed ant (Pheidole sp.) - P6089036

Ecuador: Pheidole sp.

Big-headed ants (Pheidole sp.) - P6078429

Ecuador: Pheidole sp.

Ants transporting larva? (Formicidae) - DSC_0770

Singapore: cf. Pheidole sp. 0770

Big-headed ants (Pheidole sp.) - P6100682

Ecuador: Pheidole sp.

Genus: Strumigenys Smith, F., 1860

Ant (Strumigenys cf. godeffroyi) - DSC_2886

Singapore: Strumigenys cf. godeffroyi Mayr, 1866

Ant (Strumigenys cf. godeffroyi) - DSC_2902

Singapore: Strumigenys cf. godeffroyi Mayr, 1866

Tribe: Crematogastrini Forel, 1893

Genus: Calyptomyrmex Emery, 1887

Sesame seed ant (Calyptomyrmex beccarii) - P1162691

Singapore: Calyptomyrmex beccarii Emery, 1887

Sesame seed ant (Calyptomyrmex beccarii) - P1162678

Singapore: Calyptomyrmex beccarii Emery, 1887

Sesame seed ant (Calyptomyrmex sp.) - PB141769

Singapore: Calyptomyrmex sp.

Sesame seed ant (Calyptomyrmex sp.) - PB141754

Singapore: Calyptomyrmex sp.

Genus: Cataulacus Smith, F., 1853

Armored ant (Cataulacus sp.) - DSC_7444

East Malaysia: Cataulacus horridus Smith, F., 1857

Armored Ant (Cataulacus sp.) - DSC_5058

Singapore: Cataulacus cf. granulatus (Latreille, 1802)

Armored ant (Cataulacus sp.) - DSC_3836

West Malaysia: Cataulacus cf. latissimus Emery, 1893

Armored Ant (Cataulacus sp.) - DSC_9876

West Malaysia: Cataulacus cf. latissimus Emery, 1893

Armored ant (Cataulacus praetextus) - PB041433

Singapore: Cataulacus praetextus Smith, F., 1867

Armored ant (Cataulacus praetextus) - PB041442

Singapore: Cataulacus praetextus Smith, F., 1867

Genus: Carebara Westwood, 1840

Ant (Carebara sp.) - DSC_8659

Singapore: Carebara sp.

Ant (Carebara sp.) - DSC_8655

Singapore: Carebara sp.

Ant (cf. Carebara sp.) - DSC_8283

Singapore: cf. Carebara sp.

Ant (cf. Carebara sp.) - DSC_8289

Singapore: cf. Carebara sp.

Ant (Carebara sp.) - DSC_6305

Singapore: Carebara sp.

Genus: Crematogaster Lund, 1831

Winged ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_3816

East Malaysia: Crematogaster sp.

Winged ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_3818

East Malaysia: Crematogaster sp.

Ant (Crematogaster inflata) - DSC_9151

West Malaysia: Crematogaster inflata Smith, F. 1857

Ant (Crematogaster inflata) - DSC_4953

East Malaysia: Crematogaster inflata Smith, F. 1857

Valentine Ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_3675

Singapore: Crematogaster sp.

Ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_5933

West Malaysia: Crematogaster sp.

Ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_1106

West Malaysia: Crematogaster cf. sewardi Forel, 1901

Ant (Crematogaster sp.) - DSC_1351

Western Australia: Crematogaster sp.

Ant (Crematogaster sp.) - P5219746

Singapore: Orthocrema sp.

Genus: Meranoplus Smith, F., 1853

Ant (Meranoplus mucronatus) - DSC_6335

West Malaysia: Meranoplus mucronatus Smith, F., 1857

Ant (Meranoplus mucronatus) - DSC_8820

West Malaysia: Meranoplus mucronatus Smith, F., 1857

Ants (Meranoplus cf. bicolor) with aphids - DSC_3645

Singapore: Meranoplus cf. bicolor (Guérin-Méneville, 1844)

Ants (Meranoplus cf. bicolor) with aphids - DSC_3638

Singapore: Meranoplus cf. bicolor (Guérin-Méneville, 1844)

Genus: Pristomyrmex Mayr, 1866

Ant (Pristomyrmex sp.) - DSC_2140

Singapore: Pristomyrmex sp.

Ant (Pristomyrmex sp.) - DSC_7672

West Malaysia: Pristomyrmex sp.

Ant (Pristomyrmex bicolor) - P2269106

Singapore: Pristomyrmex bicolor Emery, 1900

Genus: Tetramorium Mayr, 1855

Ant (Tetramorium bicarinatum) - DSC_2708

Singapore: Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)

Ants (Tetramorium bicarinatum) - P6021051

Singapore: Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846) complex

Ant (Tetramorium lanuginosum) - P6260067

Singapore: Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870

Ant (Tetramorium sp.) - DSC_0495

West Malaysia: Tetramorium sp.

Ant (Tetramorium sp.) - DSC_6337

East Malaysia: Tetramorium sp.

Tribe: Solenopsidini Forel, 1893

Genus: Megalomyrmex Forel, 1885

Ants (Megalomyrmex sp.) - P6100131

Ecuador: Megalomyrmex sp.

Genus: Myrmicaria Saunders, W.W., 1842

Ant (Myrmicaria sp.) - DSC_6180

Singapore: Myrmicaria sp.

Ant (Myrmicinae) - DSC_4680

Singapore: cf. Myrmicaria sp.

Tribe: Unknown

Unknown pupa with winged ant - DSC_9421

Singapore: Myrmicinae ♂

Subfamily: Paraponerinae Emery, 1901

Genus: Paraponera Smith, F., 1858

Bullet ant (Paraponera clavata) - P6078009

Ecuador: Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775)

Bullet ant (Paraponera clavata) - P6078010

Ecuador: Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775)

Subfamily: Ponerinae Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835

Tribe: Platythyreini Emery, 1901

Genus: Platythyrea Roger, 1863

Ant (cf. Platythyrea parallela) - DSC_9587

Singapore: cf. Platythyrea parallela (Smith, F., 1859)

Tribe: Ponerini Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835

Genus: Anochetus Mayr, 1861

Trap jaw ant (Anochetus rugosus) - DSC_5593

East Malaysia: Anochetus rugosus (Smith, 1857)

Trap-jaw ant (Anochetus muzziolii) - P2214924

Singapore: Anochetus muzziolii Menozzi, 1932

Genus: Diacamma Mayr, 1862

Ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_8309

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_8311

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Winged ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_2114

Singapore: Diacamma sp. ♂

Winged ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_2109

Singapore: Diacamma sp. ♂

Winged ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_8779

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Winged ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_8774

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Fingerprint ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_3106

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_6884

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Fingerprint ant (Diacamma sp.) - DSC_0039

Singapore: Diacamma sp.

Genus: Ectomomyrmex Mayr, 1867

Ant (Ectomomyrmex leeuwenhoeki) - P8288305

West Malaysia: Ectomomyrmex leeuwenhoeki (Forel, 1886)

Genus: Myopias Roger, 1861

Ants (Myopias sp.) - DSC_7089

Singapore: Myopias sp.

Ants (Myopias sp.) - DSC_7077

Singapore: Myopias sp.

Genus: Neoponera Emery, 1901

Ant (Neoponera foetida) - P6100556

Ecuador: Neoponera foetida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Ant (Neoponera foetida) - P6100558

Ecuador: Neoponera foetida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Ant (Neoponera foetida) - P6101168

Ecuador: Neoponera foetida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Genus: Odontomachus Latreille, 1804

Trap Jaw Ant - DSC_6260

Singapore: Odontomachus sp.

Trap Jaw Ant - DSC_6258

Singapore: Odontomachus sp.

Trap Jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) - DSC_3194

Singapore: Odontomachus sp.

Trap-jaw Ant (Odontomachus sp.) - DSC_2924

Singapore: Odontomachus sp.

Ant (Odontomachus sp.) - P6089112

Ecuador: Odontomachus sp.

Trap-jaw ant (Odontomachus hastatus) - P6099817

Ecuador: Odontomachus hastatus (Fabricius, 1804)

Genus: Odontoponera Mayr, 1862

Ants (Odontoponera sp.) - DSC_5300

Singapore: Odontoponera transversa (Smith, F., 1857)

Winged Ant (Odontoponera sp.) - DSC_1948

Singapore: Odontoponera denticulata (Smith, F., 1858) ♂

Genus: Paltothyreus Mayr, 1862

Ant (Paltothyreus cf. tarsatus) - DSC_3017

Mozambique: Paltothyreus cf. tarsatus (Fabricius, 1798)

Genus: Pseudoneoponera Donisthorpe, 1943

Ant (Pseudoneoponera tridentata) - P1165242

Singapore: Pseudoneoponera tridentata (Smith, 1858)

Ant (Pseudoneoponera tridentata) - P1165248

Singapore: Pseudoneoponera tridentata (Smith, 1858)

Genus: Unknown

Winged Ant (Ponerini) - DSC_2792

Singapore: Ponerini

Winged Ant (Ponerini) - DSC_2794

Singapore: Ponerini

Subfamily: Proceratiinae Emery, 1895

Tribe: Proceratiini Emery, 1895

Genus: Discothyrea Roger, 1863

Ant (Discothyrea sp.) - P4096390

Singapore: Discothyrea sp. P4096390

Ant (Discothyrea sp.) - P4086285

Singapore: Discothyrea sp. P4096390

Subfamily: Pseudomyrmecinae Smith, M.R., 1952

Genus: Pseudomyrmex Lund, 1831

Twig ant (Pseudomyrmex sp.) - P6099882

Ecuador: Pseudomyrmex sp.

Twig ant (Pseudomyrmex sp.) - P6099868

Ecuador: Pseudomyrmex sp.

Genus: Tetraponera Smith, F., 1852

Ant (Tetraponera allaborans) - P6020997

Singapore: Tetraponera allaborans (Walker, 1859)

Ant (Tetraponera allaborans) - P6021001

Singapore: Tetraponera allaborans (Walker, 1859)

Trophobiosis

Trophobiosis is common with ants where they exhibit a symbiotic relationship with other invertebrates such as sugar-excreting insects. The insects supply food in the form of their sugary excrement, while the ants offer protection from predators.

Thorn-like treehopper (Membracidae) - DSC_8274

Singapore: Meranoplus sp. with Membracidae nymph

Planthoppers (Fulgoromorpha) - DSC_4606

Peru: Camponotus sp. with Hypaepa costata

Planthopper (Fulgoroidea) - DSC_3100

West Malaysia: Anoplolepis gracilipes with planthopper

Leafhopper (Cicadellidae) - DSC_6490

East Malaysia: cf. Camponotus sp. with Cicadellidae

Treehoppers (Adippe inaequalis) - DSC_9950

Belize: Dolichoderus cf. bispinosus (Olivier, 1792) with Adippe inaequalis

Leafhoppers (Busoniomimus sp.) with ants (Polyrhachis furcata) - DSC_7084

East Malaysia: Polyrhachis furcata Smith, F., 1858 with Busoniomimus sp.

Cordyceps Fungus

Ophiocordyceps is an insect-pathogenic fungus, also known as cordyceps fungus, that infects ants and controls their brains. Infected ants would climb to the tallest point, often the tip of tall grass or leaves, and die there. This aids the fungus in dispersal and self-propagation when the fungus grows its fruiting body out to disperse spores.

Ant infected with cordyceps fungus - DSC_2645

Singapore: Polyrhachis sp.

Ant (Formicidae) with cordyceps fungus - DSC_3405

East Malaysia: Formicidae

Group Predation

Red Weaver Ants attacking a Beetle - DSC_3392

Singapore: Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Red Weaver Ants attacking Caterpillar - DSC_4860

Singapore: Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775)

Giant forest ants (Dinomyrmex gigas) - DSC_9962

Singapore: Dinomyrmex gigas (Latreille, 1802)

Singapore:

Ant Predators

Many invertebrates are specialist ant predators. Here are some examples.

Ground spider (Zodariidae) - DSC_2766

Singapore: Zodariidae

Ant-Snatching Assassin Bug (cf. Inara flavopicta) - DSC_0750

Singapore: cf. Inara flavopicta

Ant-mimic crab spider (Amyciaea sp.) - DSC_1257

Singapore: Amyciaea sp.

Crab Spider (Alcimochthes sp.) - DSC_3740

Singapore: Alcimochthes sp.

Comb-Footed Spider (Episinus sp.) - DSC_7618

Singapore: Episinus sp.

Ant Mimicry

Several invertebrates mimic ants. Batesian mimicry is the form where mimicking an ant reduces the risk of predation, as ants are typically unpalatable and aggressive to potential predators.

Ant-Mimic Jumping Spider (Myrmarachne sp.) - DSC_3517

Singapore: Myrmarachne mimicking Oecophylla smaragdina

Ant-mimic jumping spider (Myrmarachne sp.) - DSC_2401

Singapore: Myrmarachne mimicking Polyrhachis

Ant mimic broad-headed bug (Alydidae) - DSC_0308

Singapore: Alydidae

Ant-mimic beetle (Anthicidae) - DSC_7415

Singapore: Anthicidae

Ant-mimic caterpillar (Homodes sp.) - DSC_8298

Singapore: Homodes sp.

Ant-mimic katydid nymph (Eurycorypha sp.) - DSC_6144

Mozambique: Eurycorypha sp.

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NICKY BAY
Singapore

Hi my name is Nicky Bay. I am a macro photographer, instructor and book author, travelling the world to document the vast micro biodiversity that nature has to offer. Follow my updates and discover with me the incredible beauty and science behind our planet's micro creatures!

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