Ecitoninae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ecitoninae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eciton burchellii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Ecitoninae |
| Tribes and genera | |
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See text | |
Ecitoninae is an ant subfamily.
They are carnivorous ants that are characterized by organizing periodic expeditions of thousands of individuals. They do not build colonies and have a nomadic lifestyle. Some birds regularly follow these expeditions in order to find insects and other small animals that try to escape the attack of ants.
They are found in America, from the southern United States to northern Argentina.