Heteroponera

These ants are infrequently encountered and are most commonly found in leaf litter samples in forested areas. They form small nests with less than 200 workers in soil under rocks or in rotten wood and are known to have both normal and worker-like (ergatoid) queens.



Worker of H. imbellis from New South Wales.

Identification
The forward sections of the frontal lobes and the antennal sockets are separated by the broadly rounded or triangular rearward extension of the clypeus. The node of the petiole has distinct front, top and rear faces. The tips of the tibiae of the hind legs each have either a single, simple or comb-like (pectinate) spur, or have two spurs, one large and comb-like (pectinate) and one small and simple (best viewed from the front). The claws on the hind legs are simple and lack a tooth on their inner surface.

Workers of Heteroponera are most often confused with those of Rhytidoponera. They may be separated by the simple claws on the hind legs which lack a tooth along their inner margins.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia