Rapacious Panther Ant
Pachycondyla harpax
This record describes Pachycondyla harpax (species). Recorded family: Formicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Identification notes
Det. Steven Wang, 2018
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Formicoidea
- Family
- Formicidae (Ants)
- Subfamily
- Ponerinae
- Tribe
- Ponerini
- Genus
- Pachycondyla (Panther Ants)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Forests from sea level up to 500 m; probably subterranean nesters, sometimes also in rotten stumps or logs, foraging in shade at and perhaps below ground level
Geographic Range
TX-LA (Trans Pecos to New Orleans) / s. to Paraguay ( 3 ) ; may or may not be adventive in areas outside so. TX (J. Trager, pers. comm.)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Termites and probably other insects and myriapods
Life History
Larvae of this species are host to a commensal fly maggot, Metopina pachycondylae, which rides on a P. harpax larva and shares its food. The two larvae pupate together, with the fly emerging sometime after the ant. Has a defensive chemical secretion in addition to the painful sting and formidable mandibles. Colonies often include roughly 150 individuals. Workers tend to avoid sun, foraging in shade or during morning hours.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: harpac (G). 'rob, seize'
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pachycondyla harpax. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rapacious Panther Ant (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Rapacious Panther Ant
How big is Rapacious Panther Ant?
8 mm
How do you identify Rapacious Panther Ant?
Det. Steven Wang, 2018
Where is Rapacious Panther Ant found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Forests from sea level up to 500 m; probably subterranean nesters, sometimes also in rotten stumps or logs, foraging in shade at and perhaps below ground level |
| Range | TX-LA (Trans Pecos to New Orleans) / s. to Paraguay ( 3 ) ; may or may not be adventive in areas outside so. TX (J. Trager, pers. comm.) |
What does Rapacious Panther Ant eat?
The diet of the Rapacious Panther Ant includes Termites and probably other insects and myriapods.
What is the life cycle of a Rapacious Panther Ant?
Larvae of this species are host to a commensal fly maggot, Metopina pachycondylae, which rides on a P. harpax larva and shares its food. The two larvae pupate together, with the fly emerging sometime after the ant. Has a defensive chemical secretion in addition to the painful sting and formidable mandibles. Colonies often include roughly 150 individuals. Workers tend to avoid sun, foraging in shade or during morning hours.