Photos and Info on Ants and Termites of Malaysia: August 2012

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Pheidologeton sp.

This is one of the smallest Pheidologeton species. The gyne or queen measured at only 15 millimiters. The workers ranged from 2 millimeters (minor workers) to 10 millimeters (super major workers). As is typical of the smaller Pheidologeton species the workers are not as aggressive as those of Pheidologeton diversus and Pheidologeton affinis.

Pheidologeton queen and nest.

Once exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed by her workers who completely cover her.

Once exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed by her workers who completely cover her. Pheidologetons are extremely protective of their queen.

Exposed the Pheidologeton queen is immediatedly swarmed and completely covered by her workers

The Pheidologeton queen with her three month old nest.

The nest with the first super major worker just eclosed.

3 months old nest with the first super major worker just eclosed

Workers and brood of Pheidologeton.

A newly eclosed super major worker.

Newly eclosed super major worker of Pheidologeton sp

Major workers and workers of Pheidologeton ants moving brood.

Workers of Pheidologeton ants moving the pupa of a super major worker.

Workers moving a large larvae.

Minor worker of Pheidologeton sp.

See Also:

Pheidologeton genus 297327

Taxonomy:

Top Node: cellular organisms
Superkingdom: Eukayota 2759
Opisthokonta 33154
Kingdom: Metazoa 33208 (aka Animalia)
(No Rank): Eumetazoa 6072
(No Rank): Bilateria 33213
(No Rank): Protostomia 33317
(No Rank): Ecdysozoa 1206784
(No Rank):Panarthropoda 88770
Phylum: Arthropoda 6656
(No Rank): Mandibulata 197563
(No Rank): Pancrustacea 197562
Superclass: Hexapoda 6960
Class: Insecta 50557
(No Rank): Dicondylia 85512
(No Rank): Petrygota 7496
Subclass: Neoptera 33340
Infraclass: Endopterygota 33392
Order - Hymenoptera 7399

Suborder - Apocrita 7400
Infraorder - Aculeata 7434
Superfamily - Vespoidea 34725
Family - Formicidae 36668
Subfamily - Myrmicinae 34695
Tribe: Pheidologetonini 144016
Genus - Pheidologeton 297327

Last Updated: 2012 08 28

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Polyrhachis ypsilon

Polyrhachis ypsilon is a monomorphic ant with a brilliant golden sheen and very pronounced curving hooked spines (thorns) on the petiole. It might be said that the curving hooked spine is the petiole. The other two sets of spines (thorns) are on the first (pronotum) and second (mesonotum) thoracic segments. Polyrhachis ypsilon is the most brillantly golden of the Polyrhachis genus. At over 15 millimeters the workers of Polyrhachis ypsilon is among the largest species of this genus.

As part of the Formicinae subfamily of ants, Polyrhachis ypsilon supposedly do not have a functional sting. Or so one should believe until one is actually stung by one.

Worker of the golden ant, Polyrhachis ypsilon, in a defensive stinging threat posture that is the typical threat posture of many of the Polyhachis genus.