Stats

Lifespan: 1-3 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Colony
Biome: Tropical rainforest
Range: Central America
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Venom
Status: Uncommon

About

A large, slender ant native to Mexico and Central America that nests inside hollow twigs and dead branches, moving with a distinctive quick, jerky gait. Despite its delicate look, it delivers a notably painful sting used to defend its colony.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Genus: Pseudomyrmex
Species: Pseudomyrmex gracilis