''Pheidole clavata'' is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

ant Ants are Eusociality, eusocial insects of the Family (biology), family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the Taxonomy (biology), order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from Vespoidea, vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cre ...

in the genus ''

Pheidole ''Pheidole'' () is a genus of ants that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant. Many species in the genus first evolved in the Americas, while some, such as ''Pheidole indica'' and '' Pheidole m ...

''. ''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'' are not as active as many others are and they are not 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