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.
| Plectroctena mandibularis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Plectroctena mandibularis worker | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Genus: | Plectroctena |
| Species: | P. mandibularis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plectroctena mandibularis F.Smith, 1858
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| Synonyms | |
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References
edit- ^ https://thewildebeest.co.za/04164-african-stink-ant.php#google_vignette
- ^ https://antsofthecape.blogspot.com/p/plectroctena-man.html
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hseN8qaqTaY
- ^ a b c Arnold, G. (1915). "A monograph of the Formicidae in South Africa. Part I.". Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 1–159.
- ^ a b c Bolton, B.; Gotwald, W. H.; Leroux, J-M (1976). "A new West African ant of the genus Plectroctena with ecological notes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" (PDF). Annales de l'Université d'Abidjan, Série E (Écologie). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
External links
edit- Species: Plectroctena mandibularis, Antweb
- Plectroctena mandibularis, Antwiki
Media related to Plectroctena mandibularis at Wikimedia Commons
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