Epopostruma

While Epopostruma can be fairly common they are often overlooked. Workers are slow-moving and most lie motionless when disturbed. Their nests are small, with up to about 100 workers, and are found in open soil or in soil under rocks, logs or small sticks. They also nest in cracks in large rocks. When nesting in open soil they are often found near the bases of trees.

Almost all species forage at night although one species is known to occasionally forage on mallee stems during the day. They are also regularly found in leaf litter. Workers have been attracted to honey baits on trees in the late evening and at night. Their elongate and specialised mandibles form a type of snap-trap which is used to captured soft-bodied prey such as Collembola.



Worker of E. angulata from South Australia.

Identification
The antennae are 6 segmented (including the scape) and the scapes pass below the eyes when laid back against the head in their normal resting position. The mandibles are thin and elongate and when fully closed they are separated by a broad gap for most of their length, touching only at the tips. These characters will separate Epopostruma from all other Australian ants, including the superficially similar Colobostruma, Eurhopalothrix, Mesostruma and Rhopalothrix.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia