Revision of the species of the Iridomyrmex conifer group (Hymenoptera : Formicidae), with notes on their biology

Abstract

The conifer species-group of the ant genus Iridomyrmex is defined and revised at the species level. The species I. conifer Forel, I. setoconus, sp. nov. and I. turbineus, sp. nov. are placed in the group, which is limited to south-western Australia. A key to species is provided and distributions are summarised. These ants show unusual nesting habits in that thatched mounds are used during the cooler winter months and subterranean nests are constructed during the hot summer months. This habit is not known to occur in any other ant. These ants are opportunistic feeders utilising a variety of food sources and will readily relocate nest sites in response to changing resources.