''Pheidole clavata'' is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

ant Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22 ...

in the genus ''

Pheidole ''Pheidole'' is a genus of ants that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant. It probably includes more than 1000 species. The genus first evolved in the Americas, eventually spreading across th ...

''. ''Pheidole clavata'' inhabits Eastern and Northern Africa. This species of ''Pheidole'', like many others, are dimorphic, which means that a colony may contain one or several queens. Each colony is made up of two castes: the "minor" workers, and the "major" workers, or "soldiers". The majors have large heads that they use as both weapons and tools to cut open large prey for the colony. The latter generally have enormous heads and mandibles in comparison to their usually fairly modest body size.

Colony behavior

''Pheidole clavata'' very well-resemble most of their genus, colonies may grow up to 5000 ants that each play a part in helping their colony; tending larvae and pupae, foraging, and building. They resemble other ''Pheidole'' species in many ways, but their differences in other species are clearly visible: colonies of ''Pheidole clavata'' aren't as active as many others are and they aren't as visibly dominant towards territory as other species of the genus. However, they do tend to have colonies take up a large amount of space, and the raids that these ants perform on termites are absolutely spectacular. The colonies have queens that fly around April–May, generally around spring months.

Distribution

Pheidole Clavata is distributed many places throughout Central and East Africa, from Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia forests to tropical grasslands of Sudan and the Congo.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q14085727 clavata Insects described in 1877 Hymenoptera of Africa