List of ant genera

Agroecomyrmecinae

The subfamily Agroecomyrmecinae represents two extant genera and two fossil genera, once widespread in both hemispheres during the early Tertiary. The subfamily was originally classified as Agroecomyrmecini, a Myrmicinae tribe until English myrmecologist Barry Bolton raised the tribe to subfamily status in 2003. Most specimens collected are from Central America and Mexico, although one type specimen of an Agroecomyrmecinae species was collected from Ghana.

Amblyoponinae

The subfamily Amblyoponinae represents nine extant genera and one fossil genus. Established by Swiss myrmecologist Auguste Forel in 1893, these ants are specialist predators, distributed worldwide in the tropics.

Aneuretinae

The subfamily Aneuretinae represents one extant genus and eight fossil genera established by Italian entomologist Carlo Emery in 1913. Only a single species of this subfamily is extant, the Sri Lankan relict ant (Aneuretus simoni), endemic to Sri Lanka.

Apomyrminae

The subfamily Apomyrminae contains the single genus Apomyrma which only has one species, the rare subterranean ant Apomyrma stygia from West Africa. Several undescribed species are known to exist, all from the Afrotropics.

Armaniinae

The subfamily Armaniinae (or family Armaniidae) contains seven extinct genera from a series of Cretacous fossils found in Asia and Africa. These ants are treated as a group of "ant-like wasps", and they appear to lack a metapleural gland which would exclude them from the family Formicidae. However, the lack of a metapleural gland could be due to poorer preservation.

Brownimeciinae

The subfamily Brownimeciinae contains the single genus Brownimecia which only has one species, Brownimecia clavata. It was described in 1997 after a fossilised specimen was collected from Cretaceous amber from New Jersey, and was initially placed in the subfamily Ponerinae. The species was later classified into its own subfamily in 2003 by Barry Bolton.

Dolichoderinae

The subfamily Dolichoderinae was established by Forel in 1878, which represents 28 extant genera and 20 fossil genera. The subfamily presents a great diversity of species throughout the world, mainly in the tropics. Most species are generalised scavengers, but some are predacious.

Dorylinae

The subfamily Dorylinae was established by Leach in 1815, which represents 27 extant genera and one fossil genus. Many species of ant in this subfamily are known as army ants that are distributed in the Old World and New World.

Ectatomminae

The subfamily Ectatomminae represents four extant genera and three fossil genera, established in 1895 by Carlo Emery. They are distributed in tropical and warm climates in the New World and Old World, as well as the Indo-Australian regions.

Formiciinae

The subfamily Formiciinae represents one extinct genus of ants dating back to the Eocene. Ants of the genus Titanomyrma are the largest ants ever known, with queen specimens the size of small hummingbirds. Fossils have been collected from the state of Wyoming and in Germany.

Formicinae

The subfamily Formicinae represents 51 extant genera and 30 fossil genera that are globally distributed. Established by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1809, the subfamily has more than 3,000 described species, placing it as the second largest ant subfamily. Despite this, the hyperdiverse genus Camponotus is the most diverse group of ants in the world, with more than 1,100 species described.

Heteroponerinae

The subfamily Heteroponerinae represents three extant genera of ants, established in 2003 when Barry Bolton divided the Ponerinae subfamily into six subfamilies. These ants are known from the Neotropics of Central America and South America while Aulacopone relicta is from Azerbaijan.

Leptanillinae

The subfamily Leptanillinae represents nine extant genera of ants, established in 1910 by Carlo Emery. They are subterranean ants from Africa, Europe and a single species known from Australia. Studies about their biology is minimal.

Martialinae

The subfamily Martialinae contains the single genus Martialis which only has one species, Martialis heureka. The ant was discovered in 2000 Amazon rainforest near Manaus, Brazil. Described in 2008, the ant belongs to the oldest known distinct lineage to have diverged from the ancestors of all other ants.

Myrmeciinae

The subfamily Myrmeciinae represents two extant genera and five fossil genera that were once found worldwide. Established by Carlo Emery in 1877, the extant genera are restricted to Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. The notorious ant genus Myrmecia is known for their venomous stings and aggression, which has caused several human deaths in sensitive people.

Myrmicinae

The subfamily Myrmicinae was established by Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau in 1835. It represents 142 extant genera and 36 fossil genera that are distributed globally. It is the largest subfamily of the Formicidae, with more than 6,758 species described. The seed-harvesting ants and fungus-growing ants are well known among the Myrmicines.

Paraponerinae

The subfamily Paraponerinae contains a single genus Paraponera. This genus has two species, one of which was found in Dominican amber from the Miocene. The extant species, Paraponera clavata, is found in Central America and South America, and the pain from its sting is said to be greater than any other insect sting on earth.

Ponerinae

The subfamily Ponerinae was established by Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau in 1835, which represents 47 extant genera and 12 fossil genera. The subfamily is among the most diverse in the family Formicidae, with more than 1,000 species described. They are mostly distributed in the tropics and subtropics.

Proceratiinae

The subfamily Proceratiinae was established by Italian entomologist Carlo Emery in 1895, which represents three extant genera and one extinct genus. Found worldwide, these ants are mainly encountered in tropical and subtropical areas. Little is known about their biology.

Pseudomyrmecinae

The subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae was established by M.R. Smith in 1952, which represents three genera of ants that are primarily arboreal nesting ants in the tropical and subtropical regions. They are found in Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America.

Sphecomyrminae

The subfamily Sphecomyrminae contains nine fossil genera of stem ants. Most fossilised ants from Cretaceous amber are placed in this subfamily.

Incertae sedis

There are several ant genera where their taxonomic placement is uncertain (incertae sedis). These genera have not yet been assigned to any subfamily within Formicidae; 14 genera are currently listed as incertae sedis.

Excluded from Formicidae

Listed taxa were once believed to be ants and were placed within Formicidae, but at present they are no longer considered ants.