Ant Identification Key

CLASS: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera ~ ants, wasps, and bees

Family: Formicidae ~ ants

Subfamily: Ponerinae
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Subfamily: Formicinae

Follow the key to find out which subfamily your ant belongs to.

Use the body structure diagram and the glossary to help you.

1a.         Gaster with constriction; wasp-like      Ponerinae

1b.         Gaster without constriction     2

2a.         Petiole 1 segment         3

2b.         Petiole 2 segments       Myrmicinae    

3a.         Acidopore present        Formicinae

3b.         Acidopore absent          Dolichoderinae