genus ants described placed subfamily family ants genus small black colour workers measure millimetres length males millimetres smaller queens largest reaching millimetres seven described species described subspecies live australia wide variety habitats species found asia species introduced new_zealand united_states colonies found rotten wood ground rocks stones urban areas ants nocturnal forage trees low vegetation human homes regarded ants eat variety foods including fruits insects bird visit flowers attend variety butterfly larvae devil australian predominantly feeds workers species prey taxonomy genus described placing subfamily type species genus originally described austrian genus originally placed tribe later placed tribe classified synonym tribe genus consists seven species subspecies previously placed genus genus contains following species subspecies classified genus description genus small black ants species vary size workers ranging millimetres length males smaller millimetres largest ants genus queens queens measure millimetres ants placed genus features makes ants distinct compound eyes differently positioned head arrangement margin distinguish genera looks similar species relatively smaller narrow expanded head thinner ants head border curves curves present antennae consist segments teeth large tooth distribution habitat ants native australia introduced new_zealand asia native india japan philippines southern burma species found islands fiji mauritius sighted hawaii considered invasive species introduction spread state found hawaii introduced mainland united_states found north central florida ants genus widespread geographic distribution different climates usually found dry habitats referred tropical genus type specimen collected temperate sydney found woodland forests woodland forests beaches urban areas ants ants nests located bark logs rotten wood sand soil rocks stones tree stumps twigs branches urban areas colonies found cracked paths inside house walls areas species considered forage houses preference nesting habits unique australian ants construct small ground nests structurally similar nests built ants construct platforms woven plants house insects attend behaviour ecology workers form foraging columns search food forage buildings trees ground areas low vegetation workers nocturnal active hour period low activity occurs clear sunny days colonies extremely active shortly rain ants feed primarily preference enter human houses workers prey eggs fruit fly larvae attack wasp nests pacific reef fruits plants seeds consumed known exploit plants providing protection foraging workers visit flowers feed flowers visit include regularly attends protects building shelters attend number butterfly larvae including pale blue silky predators ants devil predominantly feed workers number ants devil consume minute total number ants consumed day individuals based examination stomach contents flight queen mate multiple males males mate single queen making queens mate single male making colonies called colony including queens workers brood eggs larvae leave main colony alternative nest site
Ochetellus