Genus Stigmatomma

Dracula Ants, in reference to adults gaining nourishment by biting at designated spots on the cuticle of last instar larvae to obtain haemolymph.

Most English-speaking myrmecologists say AM-bleeopone. Those wishing to be understood by non-English speakers may say am-bleh-OH-poh-neh.

NA spp. used to be treated for some time in Amblyopone

53 valid species worldwide as of 2020.

3 spp. in our area:

Stigmatomma oregonense

Pacific NW distribution, from northern CA to southern BC

Stigmatomma pallipes

Our most widespread species, from SE Canada across the entire eastern US. Rarely seen in the southwestern states, not found in states west of the 100th meridian and north of CO.

Stigmatomma trigonignathum

4-5 mm (queens 4.5-5.5 mm)

across NA south of the Subarctic

Moist soil

Most often found in spring and fall, when near-surface temperatures are close to their thermal preferendum

Apparently, the preferred food is geophilimorph centipedes, which they effectively subdue, not withstanding the gluey defensive secrietions of these much larger and squirmy arthropods (Trager, pers. observation). But, other elongate, "wiggly" prey such as other centipedes and elaterid larvae, are also taken. Prey is grasped with the ants' toothy mouthparts, underground in narrow burrows, and then stung with the formidable aculeus, which is nearly as long as the entire gaster when exserted.

Mating flights occur during the cool months, September to April throughout their broad range, but obviousl, not in winter in cooler regions.

This genus and some Prionoplta are part of an ancient lineage of ants, long included in Ponerinae, but now separated into their own subfamily.