Pheidologeton

These ants form very large colonies in soil, either in the open or under wood or rocks. They are general scavengers or predators, foraging on the ground throughout the day and night, often in long columns. They also collect honeydew from Hemiptera. Large numbers of workers are often recruited to newly found food sources. Workers vary greatly in size and show strong division of labor based on both size and age. For example, young, small workers primarily care for larvae within the nest but add other activities as they grow older. In contrast, larger workers spend much more time foraging outside the nest.



Minor worker of Pheidologeton from Queensland.



Small major worker of Pheidologeton from Queensland.



Major worker of Pheidologeton from Queensland.

Identification
The antennae are 11 segmented (including the scape) and have a 2 segmented club. In side view the propodeum is depressed below the level of the pronotum and forward section of the mesonotum, and these two regions are connected by the steeply sloping rear section of the mesonotum. The size of workers is highly variable between majors and minors (polymorphic).

Pheidologeton is most likely to be confused with Aphaenogaster or Pheidole, but can be separated from both by the 11 segmented antennae. Additionally, Pheidologeton workers vary greatly and continuously in size between majors and minors (polymorphic) while Aphaenogaster workers are all approximately the same size (monomorphic) and almost all Pheidole contains only majors and minors (dimorphic).

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution



Regional Species Lists

 * Single Australian species, Pheidologeton affinis.