''Iridomyrmex anceps'' is an ant species of the genus ''

Iridomyrmex ''Iridomyrmex'' is a genus of ants called rainbow ants (referring to their blue-green iridescent sheen) first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. He placed the genus in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicida ...

''. It has a very large distribution on multiple continents, but it is mainly distributed in northern

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Some specimens were found on multiple islands, and some were even found and collected in the

United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE; ar, اَلْإِمَارَات الْعَرَبِيَة الْمُتَحِدَة ), or simply the Emirates ( ar, الِْإمَارَات ), is a country in Western Asia (The Middle East). It is located at th ...

. ''Iridomyrmex anceps'' has a similar appearance to '' Iridomyrmex agilis''. It was described by

Julius Roger Julius Roger (23 February 1819 – 7 January 1865) was a German medical doctor, entomologist, and folklorist who worked in Ratibor, in Upper Silesia, most notable for having arranged (and raised the necessary monies) to build hospitals in Groß ...

in 1863. ''I. anceps'' is one of the most common attendant ants for larvae of the imperial hairstreak butterfly, ''

Jalmenus evagoras ''Jalmenus evagoras,'' the imperial hairstreak, imperial blue, or common imperial blue, is a small, metallic blue butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is commonly found in eastern coastal regions of Australia. This species is notable for its ...

.''

References

Iridomyrmex Hymenoptera of Australia Insects described in 1863 {{Iridomyrmex-stub