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Two Polyrhachis ants are locked in a fight on a green leaf in a forest, while another Polyrhachis ant attempts to mediate between them in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on October 23, 2025. Polyrhachis ants, or "spiny ants," are a diverse genus found in the Old-World tropics, with over 70 species in India. Known for their unique body armor and prominent spines, they range from 5mm to 10mm in length, serving as protection against predators. Highly territorial, they fight aggressively against members of rival colonies, using chemical pheromones to identify nestmates. Lacking a stinger, they rely on sharp mandibles, acid, and strategic teamwork to defend their colonies. Interactions between non-nest mates can involve ritualized fighting or aggression, often accompanied by spraying formic acid. Like others in the Formicinae subfamily, they use an acidopore to spray concentrated formic acid, typically combining these chemical sprays with biting to deter rivals or threats.
Two Polyrhachis ants are locked in a fight on a green leaf in a forest, while another Polyrhachis ant attempts to mediate between them in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on October 23, 2025. Polyrhachis ants, or "spiny ants," are a diverse genus found in the Old-World tropics, with over 70 species in India. Known for their unique body armor and prominent spines, they range from 5mm to 10mm in length, serving as protection against predators. Highly territorial, they fight aggressively against members of rival colonies, using chemical pheromones to identify nestmates. Lacking a stinger, they rely on sharp mandibles, acid, and strategic teamwork to defend their colonies. Interactions between non-nest mates can involve ritualized fighting or aggression, often accompanied by spraying formic acid. Like others in the Formicinae subfamily, they use an acidopore to spray concentrated formic acid, typically combining these chemical sprays with biting to deter rivals or threats.
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