There are quite a few people (includes organizations both commercial and non commercial) who have robbed my sites, taking photos for their personal, commercial or education sites and some even went to the extend of claiming those photos as their own. If you want to take photos from here whether to use in your own site or other publications, it would be good if you first write for permission. The main reason for this is so that humankind are not encouraged to rob or steal through taking and using what does not belong to them. There are many sites that published information and images of all sorts that does not required permission with some just requiring the appropriate attribution to source and/or owner publisher. Even as I have nothing but praises for these, in my personal capacity I have chosen not to do the same for the simple reason that humankind today more ever before are presumptuously taking too many things for granted. This is one of the most serious contributor to evil in the human social order. It is not hard to write for permission, and the only reason I request it is to discourage plagiarizers and those who have no regards and recognition of others efforts and works, holding themselves as entitled, having the absolute right, to everything they can steal, rob and plunder through any and all means.
This site is just for general information and species identification which are based mostly from unaided visual sightings and comparisons in the photos presented here. For authoritative and definitive identification please refer to the various institution and research bodies that maintain detail and exhaustive records. References to species identity are to the published works of the researchers and the various authorities of the field. Behavior information are from this author's personal observations and encounters and likewise are not authoritative.
[2020 06 28] Added some (old) video clips in some of the posts, see the Home Page post for the 📹 icon for the posts with added short video clips. The clips are somewhat shaky and some parts blurry as I own only a cheap auto focus camera (two actually, the older one has ceased to be functional and the second one, old too, has been also already malfunctioning).
Pseudolasius sp
Pseudolasius sp(04)
not looked into yet, hopefully one fine day, haven't have one in years).
Leptogenys sp(13).
Leptogenys sp(12)
Leptogenys sp(11)
Pheidole sp(26) See more in the Pheidole genus post.
Pheidole sp(20).
Pheidole sp(19) major and minor workers. See more in the Pheidole genus post.
Pheidole sp(27) major worker.
Pheidole sp(18)
Pheidole sp(13). See more Pheidole genus in the Pheidole post.
Discothyrea sp. ant worker
Discothyrea sp. workers
Worker of Polyrhachis sp(27). See more in the Polyrhachis genus post.
Worker of Polyrhachis sp(37).
Worker of Anochetus sp.
Measuring at slightly over 8 mm tip of mandibles (closed) to tip of gaster, this is the largest of this genus document in this site. The mandibles are also significantly thicker than most members of this genus. You can view more images of this species in the Trapjaw Ants post.
This species looks quite similar to Coptotermes curvignathus but is slightly larger making it the largest species (encountered so far by me) of this genus. The head of the worker is slightly yellowish as opposed to those of all the other species documented in this blog where the worker's head is white. Aside from the head the workers from being larger at around 6 mm is also atypical of this genus (from a macro perspective).
Coptotermes sp. looks very similar to Coptotermes curvignatus but appears to have a dimorphic worker caste.
Coptotermes sp. This species is smaller (TL) than C. gestroi and the head capsule is noticeably different. See more on Coptotermes.
Carebara, this is the new definition for this group of ants. Major and minor workers of this dimorphic species of aggressive ants, the workers packing a painful bite (i.e. sting) similar in intensity as Solenopsis geminata. See more of this species in the Pheidologeton (Carebara) genus page.
Another species from the Capritermes complex. In this species the soldiers have longer heads (i.e. length to width ratio) and measure around 9 millimeters.
Pseudocapritermes sp03. This is another species under the Capritermes complex. The head of the soldier in this species is slightly shorter than the typical and just slightly longer than the mandibles.
Polyrhachis sp(35) worker. This species looks a little bit like Polyrhachis abdominalis but is smaller and also the propodeal and petiole spines are outward pointing.
Polyrhachis sp(34) worker.
Worker of Polyrhachis sp(33) ant.
Worker of Polyrhachis sp(32).
Worker of a small 7 millimeter Polyrhachis species. One among a few of this genus which do not spot spines.
The petiole in this species sp(36) is atypical of this genus.
Polyrhachis furcata ant.
Workers and brood of Polyrhachis sp. This species about the same size as Polyrhachis dives and looks similar too but is easily distinguished from P. dives by a thorny stump of a spine in the middle of the first thoracic segment (pronotum).
Polyrhachis cephalotes worker ant. The rather round and thick (viewed laterally) head of this species sets it apart from the other members of this genus.
Technomyrmex sp. This species is the smallest I have come across, just about the size of Tapinoma sessile. When I first saw it I thought it was Tapinoma but here you can see the obvious 'white foot' of all the workers.
Camponotus sp(13), a major worker. This species is fairly similar in appearance as sp(12) below but are larger (2 mm larger in the majors). These are both the Camponotus arrogans group of Camponotus which is not as large a group as the very common Camponotus irritans group (see sp07 below). Both species (sp12 and sp13 here) have naked pupae unlike the C. irritans group that have cocoon pupae.
Camponotus sp(12) is a dimorphic average (for the Camponotus genus) size species that belongs to the Camponotus arrogans group. The heart shape head of the major workers is typical in this group.
Major worker (9 millimeters) and minor worker (6 millimeters) of Camponotus sp(12).
Camponotus sp(07). is another quadmorphic species. This species very similar to one of the most commonly found species, Camponotus irritans and is around the same size, but is easily distinguished by it's larger minor worker (bottom right) and the largest major worker having a slightly larger and bulkier head (as a ratio of its body). The workers morphology are two sizes of minor and two sizes of major worker. Or if we want to split hairs (because the social order of humankind are full of hairsplitters) then one size of minor worker, one size of major worker and two size of median workers.
This species is very similar to one of the most commonly found species of Camponutus, Camponotus irritans, and is around the same size, but is easily distinguished by it's larger minor (or median) workers (bottom right).
Minor worker of Camponotus ant. This is a dimorphic species with minor workers having very narrow heads that tapers down towards the neck region.
Major worker of Camponotus sp(24).
Another Camponotus species with four morphological expression in the worker's caste. This is the median worker second from the largest.
Lateral view of median worker of another Camponotus species. Not typical of Camponotus major workers the head is not enlarged.
Secostruma sp. worker. This specimen which without close examination I had tagged as Dilobocondyla (from the appearance of the petiole nodes) but on closer examination found that it is closer to Secostruma, with minor differences in the antennae and also the gaster. Actually it looks more like a cross between Secostruma, Dilobocondyla and Pristomyrmex. Pristomyrmex has a more rounded head whereas Secostruma has a more squarish head (and also relatively larger head in proportion to the body). The waist of Pristomyrmex is also relatively shorter with the petiole nodes more pronounced. See more of this specimen in the Undocumented Species page.
Worker of Emeryopone sp. ant.
Pheidole (sp37) minor and major workers.
Pheidole sp(35). In this species the function of the major workers as semi repletes is equal to those in some Oligomyrmex species which has semi repletes major workers. In the major workers the frontal portion (the area above the frontal lobes which is absent in Pheidole ants) is more elevated presenting a raised plateau in the frontal region which may serve to block the entrance holes to the nest or as an obstacle in the tunnels. The majors are around 5 millimeters (TL) with the minor workers just below 3 millimeters.
Minor and major workers of Pheidole sp(32).
Minor and major workers of Pheidole ants (sp30).
Minor and major workers of Pheidole sp. This species with a somewhat honey color also has majors at around 5 millimeters and minor around 3 millimeters. See more in the Pheidole genus post.
Soldiers and workers of Nasutitermes sp.
Soldiers and workers of Nasutitermes sp10.
Both workers and soldiers of this species are monomorphic.
A small Nasutitermes (probably Subulitermes) termite species. To date this is smallest of this genus recorded in this blog.
I initially tagged as Nasutitermes sp14, this is actually (after a closer look realized) Lacessitermes. This species looks very similar to Hospitalitermes with the main difference in length of the legs and antennae. See more in the Nasutitermes page.
This species has dimorphic workers and monomorphic soldiers.
Worker of a very small Strumigenys species. Most Strumigenys species are trapjaws ants having the similar snap shut jaws mechanism of trapjaws ants like Anochetus and Odontomachus, but not these two newly collected species. While generally Strumigenys are slow moving ants these non trapjaws expression of this genus are generally even slower moving.
A very small Strumigenys species measuring just under 2 millmimeters.
Another Strumigenys species of normal size (2 millimeter and larger).
Workers of Strumigenys ants.
Dicuspiditermes sp.
Parrhinotermes sp. This second species is smaller measuring at below 3 millimeters (both the workers and soldiers). More photos in the Parrhinotermes page.
Updated (YMD): 2022 06 26
First Posted: 2010 01 26
Very good pics of our friendly termites and ants.
ReplyDeleteMost termites and ants contribute positively to the natural ecosystem but there are those that are as destructive as man is though on a much smaller scale. If the natural balance or order is disrupted many species may become destructive as the natural design provides for the checks and balances that ensure the healthy continuity of the natural ecosystem.
ReplyDeleteNice photos!! I am curious about the life cycle of Oecophylla Smaragdina. which month do they have there marriage flight?
ReplyDeleteOecophylla smaragdina alates (reproductives) typically flies (nuptial flight) during the rainy season. That will depend on the location you are in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer. So do they have their flight in July in Malaysia?
ReplyDeleteI have seen the ant at the last picture on my back pack.(I live in Korea) Maybe it had been fallen from the wood, because I was taking a walk, looking for some ant. But I've never seen this type of ant, since that time.
Generally the alates are released all the year round. These are not synchronized and different nests in different locale are separately motivated when it comes to the release of alates.
ReplyDeleteYour stout-legged subterranean ant is neither Acanthoponera nor Proceratium. Acanthoponera has eyes, while Proceratium has a downward-curved gaster. It looks like a Centromyrmex.
ReplyDeleteAcanthoponera: http://myrmecos.net/ants/AcaMin1.html
Centromyrmex:
http://myrmecos.net/ants/Centromyrmex1.html
Proceratium:
http://myrmecos.net/ants/ProCal3.html
Thanks Jason for the info. Centromyrmex is probably the correct id.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I'm excited about the new macrotermes, termes and neocapritermes! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThe latest 'Pericapritermes' looks more like Kemneritermes. - http://termites.myspecies.info/sites/termites.myspecies.info/files/imagecache/preview/images/Kemneritermes1.jpg
ReplyDeleteJust my guess
Wonder what you're planning to do next after you've posted all the ants and termite s in your area.
ReplyDeleteThat is still quite some time away there are still plenty of material to cover.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeletevery nice! :)
ReplyDeleteI believe that the one of the small pachycondyla queens is actually discothyrea
ReplyDelete