Pheidole

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Pheidole

Major worker of Pheidole californica

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Genus:	Pheidole Westwood, 1839

Species

Estimated at around 1000 (Wilson 2003)

Pheidole is a genus of ant that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae.

The genus Pheidole is a widespread and ecologically dominant genus containing as many as a thousand species (Wilson 2003). Most species of Pheidole are dimorphic, which means that a given colony contains two kinds of workers: (1) the "minor workers," and (3) the "major" workers, or "soldiers," which generally have enormous heads and mandibles in comparison to their usually fairly modest body size. In addition, a colony contains one or several queens, and (in mature colonies) virgin, winged females and males, as most ants do. The distinctive major workers have earned the genus Pheidole the nickname of "big headed ants." It is important to note that the majors of a Pheidole colony, while they may look fierce, are often quite shy and are often the first to flee on any hint of danger. In most cases, the major workers are utilized within the nest to break up large food items, or outside to carry large items, like seeds; many Pheidole species are ecologically important seed consumers ("harvesters").