Podomyrma

These common ants nest in solid dead wood, often in pre-existing beetle burrows or cracks in trunks, in twigs, vines and mangrove, in large seeds and galls, or occasionally in the ground. Foraging is most common on tree trunks or around the base of trees and in the surrounding litter, as well as on grasses, especially in evenings. Most workers forage individually and trails are uncommon. Some species are primarily nocturnal and are rarely collected except at baits, while others will forage day and night. Although they can be common, they are often overlooked or are difficult to find because of their arboreal habits.

Identification
The antennae are 11 segmented (including the scape). In side view, the petiole and postpetiole are either low and rounded or barrel-shaped, or the petiole is armed above with 1 to 3 small spines or teeth. The middle and hind legs with greatly swollen femora (and often tibiae as well).

The modified petiole (low and rounded or armed with teeth above) and the swollen femora will separate these ants from others in the subfamily Myrmicinae.

Heterick (2009) – Medium-sized ants with rather long, low petioles, which are sometimes armed with small spines or denticles. The swollen tibiae, the 11-segmented antenna and the form of the petiole typically distinguish this genus from similar- looking myrmicines.

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Regional Species List
Australian Species

Nomenclature

 *  PODOMYRMA [Myrmicinae: Formicoxenini]
 * Podomyrma Smith, F. 1859a: 145. Type-species: Podomyrma femorata, by subsequent designation of Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 170.
 * Podomyrma senior synonym of †Acrostigma: Dalla Torre, 1893: 59.
 * Podomyrma senior synonym of Dacryon, Pseudopodomyrma: Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 80.
 * †ACROSTIGMA [junior synonym of Podomyrma]
 * †Acrostigma Emery, 1891a: 149 [as subgenus of Podomyrma]. Type-species: †Podomyrma (Acrostigma) mayri, by monotypy.
 * †Acrostigma junior synonym of Podomyrma: Dalla Torre, 1893: 159.
 * DACRYON [junior synonym of Podomyrma]
 * Dacryon Forel, 1895f: 421. Type-species: Dacryon omniparens, by monotypy.
 * Dacryon junior synonym of Podomyrma: Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 80.
 * PSEUDOPODOMYRMA [junior synonym of Podomyrma]
 * Pseudopodomyrma Crawley, 1925: 40. Type-species: Pseudopodomyrma clarki, by monotypy.
 * Pseudopodomyrma junior synonym of Podomyrma: Taylor & Brown, D.R. 1985: 80.