Leptanillinae

The subfamily Leptanillae contains 7 genera (4 of which are only known from males) and 42 described species. They are known from Africa and southern Europe east to Japan and Australia. No species are currently known from North or South America. Only a single genus (Leptanilla), with a single species (Leptanilla swani), is known from Australia. This is a rarely encountered species that is ground nesting and most often seen when males are found at lights at night.



Worker of L. swani from Western Australia.



Male of L. swani from Queensland.

Identification
Workers of Leptanillinae are easily recognised by their small size, pale yellow colour, lack of eyes and slender bodies with a 2-segmented petiole. They may be confused with some small myrmicines (ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae). Myrmicines have frontal lobes which are expanded towards the sides of the head and partly or completely cover the bases of the antennae, while Leptanillinae lacks frontal lobes and has the antennae completely visible when viewed from the front. They are also similar to smaller Aenictus workers, but differ in being smaller and having 12 segments in the antennae (rather than 10 segmented).

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Genus Lists

 * Single species, Leptanilla swani