These large predatory ants use their sting for defense as well as for subduing prey. Most ponerine ants are glossy black, with an overall cylindrical body shape, and noticeable constrictions between the abdominal segments. The ants are a huge family of insects with tens of thousands of species. They are an ancient group of hymenoptera related to wasps and bees. The ants shown here belong to the subfamily Ponerinae. The genus Pachycondyla includes species distributed through the tropical areas. Many of the species in the genus are only distantly related, but with a similasr appearance.

The nest of this species found at Saiwa Swamp had several very large diameter nest holes (possibly for carting in large prey?).