Msstate Logo

Key to Subfamilies of Formicidae in the Southeastern United States (based on workers)
(modified from Creighton (1950) and Bolton (1994)
Couplet 5

Previous couplet | Start Subfamily Key over

5(4) Head and body covered with deep grooves or furrows; mandibles elongate and edentate ...Ectatomminae (one genus in southeastern U. S., Gnamptogenys)

5' Head and body not covered by deep grooves; mandibles variable, usually with teeth, at least apically (Leptogenys lacks teeth on mandibles, but differs from Ectatomminae in that the clypeus is elongate and triangular and the head and body does not have deep grooves) ...Ponerinae
Figure 11. Full face view of Poneracantha triangularis showing deep grooves.
Photo courtesy of http://www.antweb.org/
Figure 13. Full face view of Ponera pennsylvanica showing lack of grooves.
Photo courtesy of http://www.antweb.org/
Figure 12. Profile view of Poneracantha triangularis showing deep grooves.
Photo courtesy of http://www.antweb.org/
Figure 14. Profile view of Ponera pennsylvanica showing lack of grooves.
Photo courtesy of http://www.antweb.org/