Leptanillinae Explained

Leptanillinae is a subfamily of primitive ants consisting of three genera.

Ants of this subfamily have larvae that feed their hemolymph to the queen through specialized processes on their prothoraces and third abdominal segments.^[1] This behavior resembles that of the distantly related Adetomyrma, also called the Dracula ant, which pierces their larvae to obtain body fluids.

Members of Leptanilla are minute, yellow, blind ants that live below the surface.

Distribution

The Leptanillinae are mainly spread out in tropical and warm temperate regions in Europe and Australian regions.^[2]

Subdivisions

• Leptanillini Emery, 1910
  • Leptanilla Emery, 1870
  • Protanilla Taylor, 1990
• Opamyrmini Boudinot & Griebenow, 2024
  • Opamyrma Yamane et al, 2008

Notes and References

1. Tree of Life Web Project. 2004. Leptanillini. Version 21 October 2004 (temporary). In: The Tree of Life Web Project
2. Xu. Zhenghui. 2017. Asian Myrmecology. The northern-most record of Leptanillinae in China with description of Protanilla beijingensis sp nov (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). 9. Science Citation.