Metapone

These ants are only rarely encountered and most collections are of queens or males found during the day, attracted to lights at night, or caught in traps. The few nests found have been in the centres or outer edges of large, solid logs on the ground, apparently in chambers originally established by termites. They are always associated with termites on which they are specialist predators. Their highly modified and unusual body shape is apparently a result of this specialisation.



Worker of M. mjobergi from Queensland.

Identification
The antennae are 11 segmented (including the scape) and have a flattened, 3-segmented club. The scapes are broad and flat and fitting into deep, narrow grooves (antennal scrobes) on the upper surface of the head. The eyes are very small. The petiole and postpetiole are large and block-like and the postpetiole is attached to the gaster along its entire rear face. The body is elongate with very short, thick legs. These characters will immediately separate Metapone from all other myrmicines (species in the subfamily Myrmicinae).

Metapone may be confused with species in the subfamily Ponerinae because of the broad attachment of the postpetiole to the gaster and the overall elongate body. However, the shape of the head and antennae, and details of the configuration of the petiole and postpetiole, indicate that Metapone is a highly adapted and modified myrmicine rather than a ponerine.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia