(Asian) Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina

There are two living species of Weaver Ant, similar-looking and with similar habits: O. smaragdina of South and Southeast Asia and Australasia (shown here) and O. longinoda of middle Africa.

They live in trees in tropical forests. Workers are orange-brown and 5-10mm long.

Colonies build nests in trees using leaves and larval silk. There can be many nests over several trees. Since the ants prey on the insects that damage trees and fruit, they are sometimes kept as bio-control agents by fruit growers. Their larvae are also consumed as human food in Asia.

The back portion (abdomen) is raised in a threat position.

Their powerful mandibles can cause painful bites and they can spray formic acid into bite wounds to deter predators.