Pheidole rhea

Pheidole rhea is a species of ant and a higher myrmicine in the family Formicidae.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} It is common in grassy slopes and hills at the bases of mountains. ^[6]

Pheidole rhea
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Pheidole
Species:	P. rhea
Binomial name
Pheidole rhea Wheeler, 1908

Diet

Pheidole rhea is known to consume a variety of seeds, as well as various insects. ^[7]

Distribution

Pheidole rhea is found in the southwestern United States (especially Arizona) and Northwest Mexico. Habitat in Arizona is commonly grassy hills or lower parts of canyons. ^[6]

Behavior

Pheidole rhea forms large colonies with multiple castes which all aggressively defend the nest. Workers cannot sting, but majors and supermajors have giant mandibles/heads, used for fighting as well as cracking seeds. Bites are generally non-painful but can be irritating. Large trunks trails are formed to harvest seeds and insects from areas nearby the nest.^[6]