Pheidole
| Pheidole | |
|---|---|
| Pheidole dentata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota | 
| Kingdom: | Animalia | 
| Phylum: | Arthropoda | 
| Class: | Insecta | 
| Order: | Hymenoptera | 
| Family: | Formicidae | 
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae | 
| Tribe: | Attini | 
| Genus: | Pheidole Westwood, 1839 | 
| Species | |
| Many, see text | |
| Diversity | |
| 1,301 species | |
Pheidole (Ancient Greek pronunciation: [pʰeː.dɔː.le]) is a genus of ants that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant. Many species in the genus first evolved in the Americas, while some, such as Pheidole indica and Pheidole megacephala, originated from East Asia and Africa, respectively. These species eventually began spreading across the globe. Pheidole megacephala is considered a particularly problematic invasive species.