Key to North American Genera of Ponerinae (Schmidt and Shattuck)

This key to the genera of Ponerinae is based on Schmidt & Shattuck (2014).

1

 * Clypeus broadly inserted between frontal lobes, which appear flattened in frontal view (Fig. A). Antennal sockets widely separated => Platythyrea
 * Clypeus usually narrowly inserted between frontal lobes (Fig. B). Antennal sockets usually closely approximated => 2

2

 * Metapleural gland orifice with a posterior, inverted U-shaped cuticular lip (opening lateral and anterior of posterior propodeal face) (Fig. A) => 3
 * Metapleural gland orifice without a posterior U-shaped cuticular lip (opening separated from posterior propodeal face by a very narrow, low flange) (Fig. B) => 4

3

 * Hypopygium with a row of stout setae along each side of the sting (sometimes partially hidden by surrounding thinner hairs) (Fig. A). Stridulatory organ absent from A4 pretergite. Arolia not prominent and white. Preocular carinae absent => Pachycondyla
 * Hypopygium without a row of stout setae along each side of the sting. Stridulatory organ present on A4 pretergite (Fig. B). Arolia prominent, projecting and usually bright white. Preocular carinae present or absent => Neoponera

4

 * Mandibles long and straight, inserted medially on the front of the head. Head with prominent ocular prominences (Fig. A) => 5
 * Mandibles inserted toward the sides of the front of the head. Head without prominent ocular prominences (Fig. B) => 6

5

 * Nuchal carina continuously curved, the posterior surface of the head lacking a pair of dark apophyseal lines (Fig. A) => Anochetus
 * Nuchal carina medially V-shaped, the posterior surface of the head with a pair of dark converging apophyseal lines (Fig. B) => Odontomachus

6

 * Mesotibiae dorsally with abundant stout traction setae (Fig. A) => Cryptopone
 * Mesotibiae dorsally without abundant stout traction setae (a few stout setae sometimes present near tarsus but never extending along length of tibia) (Fig. B) => 7

7

 * Ventral apex of the metatibia with both a large pectinate spur and a smaller simple spur (Fig. A) => 8
 * Ventral apex of the metatibia with a single spur, which is pectinate (Fig. B) => 10

8

 * Tarsal claws usually pectinate, rarely armed with one to three preapical teeth (Fig. A) => Leptogenys
 * Tarsal claws unarmed (Fig. B) => 9

9

 * Mesosomal profile discontinuous, the propodeum lower than the mesonotum. Mandible with a basal pit or groove. Propodeal spiracle round. Prora absent from anterior margin of first gastral sternite (Fig. A) (Introduced in SE USA) => Brachyponera
 * Mesosomal profile nearly continuous, the metanotal groove shallow or absent. Either mandible without a basal pit or groove and propodeal spiracle round or ovoid, or mandible with a basal pit or groove and propodeal spiracle slit-shaped. Prora present on anterior margin of first gastral sternite (Fig. B) => Pseudoponera

10

 * Subpetiolar process with an anterior fenestra and paired posteroventral teeth (Fig. A) => Ponera
 * Subpetiolar process without both an anterior fenestra and paired posteroventral teeth (Fig. B) => Hypoponera