Oecophylla

Oecophylla are always in trees or shrubs and are constructed by attaching leaves together with silk produced by their larvae. Individual colonies can become very large with many separate nests spread over several trees. They are very aggressive and will vigorously attack intruders. Foraging takes place both on vegetation and on the ground, and they are predacious. Due to their large population sizes and predacious habits, these ants have been used as biological control agents.



Worker of O. smaragdina from Queensland.



Oecophylla workers can be incredibly abundant, foraging in large columns in trees, on low vegetation and across the ground.



Nests are formed by stitching leaves together using silk produced by the ant's larvae. Normally the exterior of the nest is quite, but in this case the nest has been disturbed and workers have pored forth to determine the nature of the intruder.

Identification
The mandibles have 10 or more teeth. The palp formula is 5:4 (the outer or maxillary palps with 5 segments, the inner or labial palps with 4 segments). The area above the hind leg is smooth and without a small opening (the metapleural gland opening). The scale of the petiole is low and rounded, without distinct front, top or rear faces.

Oecophylla has a single species in Australia (O. smaragdina), which is the well-known green tree or weaver ant of northern regions. They are recognisable by their elongate, pale yellow and/or green bodies, numerous mandibular teeth and the reduced number of palp segments (6:4 in most other formicines).

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution



Regional Species Lists

 * Single Australian species, Oecophylla smaragdina.