last updated 2.Jan.2006

Polyrhachis is one of the largest and most diverse ant genera in the old world tropics. These ants are closely related to the cosmopolitan genus Camponotus, but are often  ornamented with spines. Polyrhachis is found in many different habitat types and show a wide variety of nesting behaviors.  Species in the subgenus Cyrtomyrma are weaver ants, nesting in folded leaves held together with larval silk.  Others nest in the soil, in rotting wood, or arboreally.  One species even inhabits intertidal mud flats and can swim.