Philidris

Species of Philidris form large nests containing many thousands of workers in cavities of living plants or in rotten wood above the ground. Some species are associated with plants which have special swollen stems in which the ants nest (these plants are called myrmecophytes, and include the genera Myrmecodia and Hydnophytum). Philidris workers are very aggressive when disturbed and will swarm in large numbers to attack intruders. Many species are also polymorphic, with workers varying greatly in size and with some having enlarged heads. These large-headed workers are equipped with powerful jaws which they use while excavating nests in tough plant tissues and rotten wood.



Worker of Philidris from Queensland.

Identification
The front margin of the clypeus above the mandibles is highly modified with convex areas towards the sides and a weak central projection (Figs 98, 366). The compound eyes are placed relatively downward on the head, near the mandibles (Figs 98aa, 366). Most other genera in this subfamily have the front margin of the clypeus weakly convex (Figs 96aa, 335), straight or weakly concave (Figs 95aa, 332). Only Froggattella and Iridomyrmex share the central projection with Philidris, but Froggattella differs in having propodeal spines (Figs 64a, 349) while Iridomyrmex differs in having the eyes high on the head, well away from the clypeus (Figs 97a, 351).

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia