Key to Australian Genera of Ponerinae

1

 * Mandibles long and straight, inserted in the middle of the front margin of the head, and with only 2 or 3 large teeth near the tips (sometimes with small denticles along their inner margins, but these are much smaller than the teeth at the tips). Sides of head bulging around the eyes (Fig. a) => 2
 * Mandibles long and straight or triangular, inserted at the sides (lateral corners) of the head, and with the teeth either located along the entire inner margin or lacking. Sides of head uniformly curved (Fig. aa) => 3

2

 * Top of the head with dark, V-shaped lines (Fig. a) that converge to form a distinct, sometimes shallow groove on the upper front of the head (Fig. b) => Odontomachus
 * Top of the head without dark lines and with a broad, uninterrupted, curved ridge (Fig. aa). Upper front of the head usually smooth (Fig. bb) or with at most a weak, ill-defined groove => Anochetus

3

 * Forward sections of the frontal lobes and the antennal sockets widely separated by the broadly rounded or triangular rear section of the clypeus which extends between them (Fig. a) => Platythyrea
 * Forward sections of the frontal lobes and the antennal sockets very close together and at most separated by a very narrow triangle of the clypeus which extends rearward between them (Fig. aa) (sometimes the clypeus does not extend back between the frontal lobes and they are touching throughout their length) => 4

4

 * Tibiae of the hind legs each with a single large, comb-like (pectinate) spur (Fig. a) => 5
 * Tibiae of the hind legs each with two spurs, a large and comb-like (pectinate) behind a much smaller simple one (Fig. aa) => 8

5

 * Side of the mandible near its insertion into the head with a small oval or round depression or pit (Fig. a). Outer surfaces of the tibiae of the middle legs with a mixture of thickened peg-like setae or narrow spines and normal, thinner hairs (Fig. b) => Cryptopone
 * Side of the mandible near its insertion into the head smooth or with weak ridges (Fig. aa). Outer surfaces of the tibiae of the middle legs with all hairs thin and uniform in diameter (although they may differ in length) (Fig. bb) or lacking hairs altogether => 6

6

 * Mandibles thin and with widely spaced teeth (Fig. a). Eyes absent, although in some individuals small dimples or slight discolourations are present were the eyes would be expected (Fig. b) => Unnamed Genus
 * Mandibles triangular and with closely spaced teeth (Fig. aa). Eyes distinct although sometimes reduced to as few as 10 facets (ommatidia) (Fig. bb) => 7

7

 * Lower surface of the petiole (subpetiolar process) with a sharp angle to the rear and a translucent thin spot towards the front when viewed from the side (Fig. a) => Ponera
 * Lower surface of the petiole (subpetiolar process) a simple, rounded lobe when viewed from the side (Fig. aa) => Hypoponera

8

 * Claws on the hind legs usually with a series of small teeth on their inner surface (pectinate) (Fig. a), but always with at least 1 tooth present => Leptogenys
 * Claws on the hind legs simple, without teeth on their inner surface (Fig. aa) => 9

9

 * Side of the mesosoma with a conspicuous pocket-like pit just below its upper surface (Fig. a). Petiole with a pair of spines on its upper surface (Fig. b) => Diacamma
 * Side of the mesosoma smooth or with ridges, but never with a pocket-like pit (Fig. aa). Petiole usually rounded above (Fig. bb) but sometimes with a series of small teeth along its rear margin => 10

10

 * With the head viewed from the front, the clypeus forms a central projection that extends well forward of the regions to either side (Fig. aa), and the frontal lobes and antennal sockets are very near the front margin (Fig. bb). Mandibles almost always long and slender (in one species they are expanded and nearly triangular) and always leaving a gap between them and the front of the clypeus when closed (Fig. cc) => Myopias
 * With the head viewed from the front, the clypeus extends across the entire width of the head in the form of a broadly rounded or angular plate (Fig. a), and the frontal lobes and antennal sockets are well behind the front margin (Fig. b). Mandibles triangular and touching the front of the clypeus when closed (Fig. c) => Pachycondyla