Cephalotes
Ant genus · 136 species · 27 countries
- Genus
- Cephalotes
- Subfamily
- Myrmicinae
- Tribe
- Attini
- Distribution
- Found in 27 countries
- Colony form
- monogynous, polygynous
- Nuptial flight
- Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
- Species count
- 136 species (16 fossil)
About Cephalotes
Cephalotes is a genus within the family Formicidae , classified in the subfamily Myrmicinae (tribe Attini) . AntScout currently documents 136 species in this genus, distributed across 27 countries , including Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Brazil.
Species in this genus exhibit monogynous and polygynous colony structures. Monogynous colonies have a single reproductive queen, making them straightforward to start from a single founding queen - ideal for beginner ant keepers. Polygynous colonies can host multiple queens, allowing for rapid colony growth.
Nuptial flights of Cephalotes species have been recorded during: Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. These flights are when new queens and males leave the nest to mate - the best time to find a founding queen in the wild.
Where Cephalotes Is Found
Species in this genus are documented in 27 countries:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many species does Cephalotes have?
The genus Cephalotes includes 136 species documented on AntScout, spread across 27 countries. 16 of these are fossil species.
Where do Cephalotes ants live?
Cephalotes species are found in 27 countries , including Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Brazil. Distribution varies by species - check individual species pages for precise range maps.
When do Cephalotes ants have their nuptial flight?
Nuptial flights of Cephalotes species have been observed in Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. This is the best time to find a founding queen in the wild. Use the AntScout flight calendar for species-specific predictions.
Can I buy Cephalotes ants?
Cephalotes ants may be available from ant dealers depending on your region. Some species are popular in the hobby and regularly sold as founding queens or small colonies. Check local antkeeping communities or specialty shops in your country.
Are Cephalotes ants good for beginners?
This depends on the specific species. Some Cephalotes species are beginner-friendly with straightforward care requirements, while others may need specific conditions. Browse the individual species profiles below for care difficulty and requirements.
All Cephalotes Species (136)
Click a species to view its full profile, including distribution map, care information, nuptial flight calendar, and identification photos.
- Cephalotes adolphi 1 country
- Cephalotes alfaroi 2 countries
- Cephalotes alveolatus Fossil
- Cephalotes angustus 2 countries
- Cephalotes argentiventris
- Cephalotes atratus Common Giant Turtle Ant 13 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes auricomus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes auriger monogynous
- Cephalotes basalis 8 countries
- Cephalotes betoi 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes biguttatus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes bimaculatus 3 countries
- Cephalotes bivestitus 1 country
- Cephalotes bloosi Fossil
- Cephalotes bohlsi polygynous
- Cephalotes borgmeieri 4 countries
- Cephalotes brevispineus Fossil
- Cephalotes bruchi 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes caribicus Fossil
- Cephalotes chacmul
- Cephalotes christopherseni 4 countries
- Cephalotes clypeatus 10 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes coffeae 1 country
- Cephalotes columbicus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes complanatus 3 countries
- Cephalotes conspersus 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes cordatus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes cordiae 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes cordiventris 4 countries
- Cephalotes crenaticeps 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes cristatus 7 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes curvistriatus 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes decolor
- Cephalotes decoloratus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes dentidorsum 1 country
- Cephalotes depressus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes dieteri Fossil
- Cephalotes duckei 2 countries
- Cephalotes ecuadorialis 1 country
- Cephalotes eduarduli 3 countries
- Cephalotes emeryi monogynous
- Cephalotes femoralis 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes fiebrigi 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes flavigaster 1 country
- Cephalotes foliaceus 2 countries
- Cephalotes fossithorax
- Cephalotes frigidus 1 country
- Cephalotes gabicamacho
- Cephalotes goeldii 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes goniodontus 1 country polygynous
- Cephalotes grandinosus 8 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes guayaki 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes hamulus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes hirsutus 1 country
- Cephalotes hispaniolicus Fossil
- Cephalotes inaequalis 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes inca 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes incertus 3 countries
- Cephalotes insularis 1 country
- Cephalotes integerrimus Fossil 1 country
- Cephalotes jamaicensis 1 country
- Cephalotes jansei Fossil
- Cephalotes jheringi 2 countries
- Cephalotes klugi
- Cephalotes kukulcan 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes laminatus 3 countries
- Cephalotes lanuginosus 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes lenca 1 country
- Cephalotes liepini 1 country
- Cephalotes liogaster 1 country
- Cephalotes liviaprado monogynous
- Cephalotes maculatus 12 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes manni 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes mariadeandrade
- Cephalotes marycorn monogynous
- Cephalotes maya Fossil
- Cephalotes membranaceus 1 country
- Cephalotes minutus 13 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes mompox 2 countries
- Cephalotes monicaulyssea
- Cephalotes multispinosus 7 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes nilpiei 1 country
- Cephalotes notatus 1 country
- Cephalotes obscurus Fossil
- Cephalotes oculatus 1 country
- Cephalotes olmecus Fossil
- Cephalotes opacus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes pallens 11 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes pallidicephalus 1 country
- Cephalotes pallidoides 5 countries
- Cephalotes pallidus 6 countries
- Cephalotes palta 1 country
- Cephalotes palustris 1 country
- Cephalotes patei
- Cephalotes patellaris 1 country
- Cephalotes pavonii 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes pellans 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes persimilis 4 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes persimplex 1 country
- Cephalotes peruviensis 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes pileini 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes pilosus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes pinelii 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes placidus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes poinari Fossil
- Cephalotes porrasi 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes prodigiosus monogynous
- Cephalotes pusillus 9 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes quadratus 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes ramiphilus 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes resinae
- Cephalotes rohweri Sonoran Turtle Ant 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes scutulatus 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes serraticeps 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes serratus Fossil 1 country
- Cephalotes setulifer 5 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes simillimus 4 countries
- Cephalotes sobrius
- Cephalotes solidus 1 country
- Cephalotes specularis 2 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes spinosus 6 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes squamosus Fossil 1 country
- Cephalotes sucinus Fossil
- Cephalotes supercilii
- Cephalotes taino
- Cephalotes targionii 4 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes texanus Texas Turtle Ant 2 countries polygynous
- Cephalotes toltecus 1 country
- Cephalotes trichophorus 1 country monogynous
- Cephalotes umbraculatus 12 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes unimaculatus 3 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes ustus 1 country
- Cephalotes varians Northern Caribbean Turtle Ant 4 countries monogynous
- Cephalotes ventriosus Fossil
- Cephalotes vinosus 1 country
- Cephalotes wheeleri 1 country monogynous