Explanation of Names
Labidus coecus (Latreille, 1802)
Identification
Males are found at lights and are larger than Neivamyrmex:
Workers can be found conducting subterranean raids underneath rocks and logs set in the ground:
Both males and workers (and likely queens) have a small tooth on the concave surface of the tarsal claw, where Neivamyrmex has none. Nomamyrmex is the only other doryline in our area with this trait, but their workers are much larger and their males have thick setae.
Range
sc US (TX, LA, AR, OK), south to n. Argentina -
Map (1)Habitat
Workers are generally completely subterranean. Males come to lights. Queens are completely flightless and rarely seen.
Season
Workers are generally more abundant during cooler months in its range. Males fly in late spring to early summer.
Food
More generalist feeders than most army ants, and are documented to kill baby chickens and temporarily move their colonies to underneath fruit trees for food. Outside of these opportunistic feeding events they will raid other ant nests for brood like other dorylines.
Remarks
Quite common in central Texas, less abundant in other parts of the US.
