Biology:Plectroctena mandibularis
From HandWiki
Short description: Species of ant
| Plectroctena mandibularis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Plectroctena mandibularis worker | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Genus: | Plectroctena |
| Species: | P. mandibularis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plectroctena mandibularis F.Smith, 1858
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Plectroctena mandibularis, called the ringbum ant or millipede munching ant,[1][2][3] is a large species of ant that ranges from the Eastern Cape, South Africa, through East Africa to Ethiopia. Their workers forage singly[4] in open terrain, and their colony size seldom exceeds fifty individuals.[4][5] It is one of the large Plectroctena species, including P. conjugata and P. minor, that specialize on adult millipedes as prey.[5] The nest is composed of chambers that are typically located two feet or more below the surface, and the nest entrances are usually marked by large piles of earth.[4][5] They get their colloquial, common name from their tendency to prey on millipedes.
References
- ↑ "African Stink Ant - Insects of South Africa". https://thewildebeest.co.za/04164-african-stink-ant.php#google_vignette.
- ↑ "- Ants of Southern Africa -: Plectroctena mandibularis: The Ringbum millipede muncher". https://antsofthecape.blogspot.com/p/plectroctena-man.html.
- ↑ "Watch a MILLIPEDE SWARM from South Africa". 4 August 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hseN8qaqTaY.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Arnold, G. (1915). "A monograph of the Formicidae in South Africa. Part I.". Annals of the South African Museum 14: 1–159.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bolton, B.; Gotwald, W. H.; Leroux, J-M (1976). "A new West African ant of the genus Plectroctena with ecological notes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Annales de l'Université d'Abidjan, Série E (Écologie). http://gap.entclub.org/taxonomists/Bolton/Plectroctena.pdf. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q14122337 entry
 |  |
