Pheidole rhea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pheidole rhea | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Attini |
| Genus: | Pheidole |
| Species: | P. rhea |
| Binomial name | |
| Pheidole rhea Wheeler, 1908 | |
Pheidole rhea is a species of ant and a higher myrmicine in the family Formicidae.[1][2][3][4][5] It is common in grassy slopes and hills at the bases of mountains.[6]
Pheidole rhea is known to consume a variety of seeds, as well as various insects.[7]
Distribution
Pheidole rhea is found in the southwestern United States (especially Arizona) and Northwest Mexico. Habitat in Arizona is commonly grassy hills or lower parts of canyons.[6]
Behavior
Pheidole rhea forms large colonies with multiple castes which all aggressively defend the nest. Workers cannot sting, but majors and supermajors have giant mandibles/heads, used for fighting as well as cracking seeds. Bites are generally non-painful but can be irritating. Large trunks trails are formed to harvest seeds and insects from areas nearby the nest.[6]
