Pheidole yeensis, also known as the exciting big-headed ant, is a fascinating and active species from Southern China and Vietnam. This species is commonly found in open lands, tillage, and gardens, preferring soil nests that are easily identifiable by the prominent soil mounds surrounding their entrances. Known for their aggressive foraging behavior and ability to hunt small invertebrates, these ants are a must-have for any serious ant collector.
Pheidole yeensis
Pheidole yeensis is primarily found in open lands, gardens, and rural areas in Southern China and Vietnam. They nest in the soil, and their nests are characterized by a prominent wall built with soil around the entrance. This species is one of the most dominant Pheidole species in Northern Vietnam, sharing this status with Pheidole parva.
This species is notable for its large-headed soldiers and aggressive nature. The workers are highly active, foraging on the ground and preying on small invertebrates, including other ants such as Odontoponera denticulata. The major workers have a strongly impressed vertex and thick standing hairs on their head and mesosoma. In contrast, the minor workers have a low mound on the posterior slope of the promesonotal dome and sparsely bear relatively thick standing hairs.
A colony of Pheidole yeensis typically includes one queen and several workers. The species is polygynous, meaning multiple queens can be present in a single colony, which significantly boosts colony size and growth rate. A mature colony can rapidly grow in numbers due to the queen's high egg-laying rate, and a fully developed colony can easily house thousands of workers.
