Strumigenys

Species of Strumigenys can be difficult to find other than when encountered in leaf litter. They form small nests in soil, under or between rocks and in rotten wood. They are normally slow moving but can run quickly when disturbed. Most are specialist predators on Collembola while others will take a range of small soft-bodied arthropods. They are occasionally found at honey baits. They can be locally common while being absent from similar areas nearby. One species, S. xenos, is a permanent social parasite. That is, it occurs only as queens with no workers and is always found in the nests of its host, S. perplexa. Other species have been found nesting in association with other ants, including Pachycondyla mayri and Rhytidoponera metallica in Australia.



Worker of S. perplexa from New South Wales.

Identification
The antennae are either 4 or 6 segmented (including the scape). The mandibles are thin and elongate, with only 2 or 3 teeth which are found near the extreme tips. In many species, the sides of the petiole, postpetiole and lower part of the gaster have masses of sponge-like cuticle, however in other species these masses are absent and these areas are similar to most other ants.

These ants are recognisable by the shape of the head, the 4 or 6 segmented antennae and, when present, the sponge-like structures on the petiole, postpetiole and gaster. They differ from Pyramica, which is similar in general body size and shape, in having thin, elongate rather than short and triangular mandibles, and from the similar (but larger) Orectognathus in the 4 or 6 segmented antennae (rather than 5 segmented).

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia