Pyramica

Species in this genus are ground foragers and are most often encountered in leaf litter. They nest in soil under rocks and similar objects on the ground, in leaf litter, under bark or in rotten wood. They are predacious, feeding primarily on small arthropods with some species specialising on Collembola. Some are known to be parasites of species of the closely related genus Strumigenys.



Worker of P. flagellata from Queensland.

Identification
The antennae are 6 segmented (including the scape). The mandibles are short and triangular and with 8 or more teeth along their entire inner margins. The sides of petiole and postpetiole and lower part of the gaster have masses of sponge-like cuticle.

These ants are recognisable by the highly modified head shape, the 6 segmented antennae and the sponge-like structures on the petiole, postpetiole and gaster. They are most likely to be confused with Strumigenys (or possibly Orectognathus) but differ in having short, triangular mandibles rather than thin, elongate ones.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia