Labidus

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With seven described species, Labidus is a relatively small but widely distributed genus. Its members are more generalized predators than most other New World army ants and may have the greatest overall ecological impact due to high densities.

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Identification

Borowiec (2016) - Worker Labidus workers are easily recognized by a combination of spiracle positioned high on the propodeum, 12-segmented antennae, propodeum not armed with spines or cuticular lamellae, short propodeal lobes, two-segmented waist, metatibial gland present, and pretarsal claws with a tooth. Labidus belongs to New World army ants with an unarmed propodeum and it could only be confused with Cheliomyrmex and certain larger species of Neivamyrmex. The former have one-segmented waist, and the latter always lack teeth on pretarsal claws.

Male Labidus males have the army ant habitus with abdominal segment III much larger than the preceding segment II (petiole), and head small relative to mesosoma. See discussion under Cheliomyrmex for characters differentiating New World army ant males from those of Old World Aenictus, Aenictogiton, and Dorylus. Among New World army ants, Labidus possesses the following unique character combination: no conspicuous tufts of long setae on gaster, apices of penisvalvae with setae, abdominal sternite IX (subgenital plate) with two spines, and hind basitarsus with a groove that accommodates the tibial spur. The lack of long gastral setae differentiates Labidus from Nomamyrmex, the apices of penisvalvae are hairy in Eciton and Neivamyrmex, and in Cheliomyrmex there are four spines on the abdominal sternite IX and hind basitarsus has no oblique grooves.

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Keys including this Genus

 

Distribution

Borowiec (2016) - South Central United States to northern Argentina.

Distribution and Richness based on AntMaps

Species by Region

Number of species within biogeographic regions, along with the total number of species for each region.

Afrotropical Region Australasian Region Indo-Australian Region Malagasy Region Nearctic Region Neotropical Region Oriental Region Palaearctic Region
Species 0 0 0 0 1 9 0 0
Total Species 2840 1735 3042 932 835 4378 1740 2862

Biology

Labidus are often the most common army ants throughout their range, with up to three species occurring in a given area (do Nascimiento et al. 2004, author’s personal observations). They nest mostly underground (Fowler 1979) and forage in swarm raids. It is unclear whether brood production is synchronized; colonies appear to emigrate infrequently, their bivouacs staying in place for prolonged periods of time (Fowler 1979).

Rettenmeyer (1963) and Fowler (1979) detailed the biology of Labidus praedator. The bivouacs are found in rotten logs or are subterranean, occupying preformed cavities such as abandoned nest chambers of Atta leaf-cutting ants (Rettenmeyer 1963, Monteiro et al. 2008). Mature colonies have been estimated to contain up to a million individuals (Fowler 1979).

Labidus forages in swarm raids similar to those of Eciton burchellii (Rettenmeyer 1963) and its species are even more generalized predators that in addition to ant brood will take a variety of other arthropods, sugar, and plant parts, including flowers, seeds, fruit, and even processed food such as boiled rice (Borgmeier 1955, Monteiro et al. 2008). The two best-studies species, Labidus coecus and Labidus praedator, are similar in this respect and data on other species is lacking. Henry Walter Bates (1863) described L. coecus constructing soil tunnels over its raiding columns. Monteiro et al. (2008) studied L. praedator in agricultural lands in Brazil, finding that Lepidoptera caterpillars were the most common type of prey, followed by arils of many plant species and various non-Lepidopteran arthropods, both in adult and larval stages. Fowler (1979) observed the same species in Paraguay and reported that it frequently raided other ant colonies. The raids occur mostly during the day, although nocturnal activity is also substantial (O’Donnell et al. 2009). Perfecto (1992) observed an underground raid of L. coecus on several ant species.

The reproductive biology of Labidus is poorly known. There is conflicting evidence as to whether brood production is synchronized or not, with available brood samples consisting of immatures at one or multiple stages of development and queen specimens with either extended or contracted gasters (Rettenmeyer 1963). Given the rarity of emigrations and confirmed existence of long-term bivouac sites, lasting up to eight months (Fowler 1979), it is possible that Labidus queens retain the ability to lay eggs in pulses but do not cease brood production long enough for non-overlapping brood cohorts to emerge and for colonies to exhibit the nomadic-statary cycle characteristic of Eciton.

Association with Other Organisms

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Species Uncertain

  • An unknown species is a host for the phorid fly Dacnophora legionis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a host for the phorid fly Dacnophora setithorax (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • An unknown species is a associate (details unknown) for the diapriid wasp Labridopria sp. (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).

All Associate Records for Genus

Click here to show/hide associate data.
Taxon Relationship Associate Type Associate Taxon Associate Relationship Locality Source Notes
Labidus associate (details unknown) diapriid wasp Labridopria sp. associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus host phorid fly Dacnophora legionis parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus host phorid fly Dacnophora setithorax parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitomyia wheeleri associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora bruchi associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora costaricensis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora fidelis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitoptera centralis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitoptera subciliata associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecituncula glandularis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecituncula halterata associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecituncula tarsalis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus coecus host diapriid wasp Mimopria comes parasite www.diapriid.org
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Apocephalus analis parasite phorid.net attacked
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Apocephalus comatus parasite phorid.net attacked
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Apocephalus inimicus parasite phorid.net attacked
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Cremersia longipes parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Cremersia spinicosta parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Dacnophora setitjorax parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus coecus host phorid fly Myrmosicarius grandicornis parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Acontistoptera brasiliensis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Adelopteromyia parvipennis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Adelopteromyia propinqua associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora breviptera associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora comes associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora fidelis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora parva associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitophora varians associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecitoptera subciliata associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecituncula halterata associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Ecituncula tarsalis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Holopterina longipalpis sedula associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Lepidophoromyia labida associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Pradea iniqua associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Puliciphora borinquenensis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) phorid fly Thalloptera schwarzmaieri associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator associate (details unknown) tachinid fly Androeuryops ecitonis associate (details unknown) Quevillon, 2018
Labidus praedator host diapriid wasp Labidopria longicornis parasite www.diapriid.org
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Acanthophorides labidophilus parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Acanthophorides longicornis parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Acanthophorides pilosicauda parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Apocephalus ecitonis parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Apocephalus platypalpis parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Apocephalus praedator parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Apocephalus sp. parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Cremersia setitarsus parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Cremersia spinosissima parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Dacnophora sp. parasite Costa Rica Brown & Fenner, 1998
Labidus praedator host phorid fly Myrmosicarius biarticulatus parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest

Life History Traits

  • Mean colony size: 1000000 (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Compound colony type: not parasitic (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Nest site: hypogaeic (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Diet class: predator (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging stratum: subterranean/leaf litter (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging behaviour: cooperative (Greer et al., 2021)

Castes

Morphology

Worker Morphology

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• Antennal segment count: 12 • Antennal club: absent, gradual • Palp formula: 2,3 • Total dental count: 3-15 • Spur formula: 1 pectinate, 1 pectinate • Eyes: 0-1 ommatidia • Scrobes: absent • Pronotal Spines: absent • Mesonotal Spines: absent • Propodeal Spines: absent • Petiolar Spines: absent • Caste: polymorphic • Sting: present • Metaplural Gland: present • Cocoon: present

Phylogeny

Dorylinae

Lioponera (76 species, 0 fossil species)

Lividopone (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Parasyscia (57 species, 0 fossil species)

Zasphinctus (24 species, 0 fossil species)

Vicinopone (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Simopone (40 species, 0 fossil species)

Tanipone (10 species, 0 fossil species)

Eusphinctus (2 species, 0 fossil species)

Ooceraea (17 species, 0 fossil species)

Syscia (39 species, 0 fossil species)

Eburopone (2 species, 0 fossil species)

Aenictus (226 species, 0 fossil species)

Aenictogiton (7 species, 0 fossil species)

Dorylus (127 species, 0 fossil species)

Cerapachys (5 species, 0 fossil species)

Chrysapace (4 species, 0 fossil species)

Yunodorylus (4 species, 0 fossil species)

Neocerapachys (2 species, 0 fossil species)

Acanthostichus (23 species, 1 fossil species)

Cylindromyrmex (10 species, 3 fossil species)

Sphinctomyrmex (3 species, 0 fossil species)

Leptanilloides (19 species, 0 fossil species)

Neivamyrmex (129 species, 1 fossil species)

Cheliomyrmex (4 species, 0 fossil species)

Labidus (9 species, 0 fossil species)

Eciton (29 species, 0 fossil species)

Nomamyrmex (2 species, 0 fossil species)

See Phylogeny of Dorylinae for details.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • LABIDUS [Ecitoninae: Ecitonini]
    • Labidus Jurine, 1807: 282. Type-species: Labidus latreillii (junior synonym of Formica coeca), by monotypy.
    • Labidus subgenus of Mutilla: Blanchard, in Cuvier, 1846: pl. 118, fig. 2.
    • Labidus junior synonym of Eciton: Dalla Torre, 1893: 1.
    • Labidus revived from synonymy as subgenus of Eciton: Emery, 1910b: 21.
    • Labidus revived status as genus: Borgmeier, 1953: 4.
    • Labidus senior synonym of Nycteresia, Pseudodichthadia: Emery, 1910b: 21; Borgmeier, 1955: 80.
  • NYCTERESIA [junior synonym of Labidus]
    • Nycteresia Roger, 1861a: 21. Type-species: Formica coeca, by monotypy.
    • Nycteresia junior synonym of Eciton: Mayr, 1865: 76.
    • Nycteresia junior synonym of Labidus: Emery, 1910b: 21; Borgmeier, 1955: 80.
  • PSEUDODICHTHADIA [junior synonym of Labidus]
    • Pseudodichthadia André, 1885: 838. Type-species: Pseudodichthadia incerta (junior synonym of Formica coeca), by monotypy.
    • Pseudodichthadia junior synonym of Eciton: André, in Forel, 1899c: 160 (footnote).
    • Pseudodichthadia junior synonym of Labidus: Emery, 1910b: 21.

Taxonomic Notes

Borowiec (2016) - The species-level taxonomy of Labidus requires revision. There are currently seven valid species names and three of those are based only on males. In addition, morphology and preliminary molecular analyses suggest that the widely distributed Labidus praedator may be in fact a complex of reproductively isolated species (Barth et al. 2015). The phylogenetic position of Labidus is well-established as the sister group to the Eciton plus Nomamyrmex clade (Brady et al. 2014, Borowiec, in prep.).

Description

Worker

Borowiec (2016) - Head: Antennae with 12 segments. Apical antennal segment not enlarged, not broader and longer than two preceding segments combined. Clypeus with or without cuticular apron. Lateroclypeal teeth absent. Parafrontal ridges reduced. Torulo-posttorular complex vertical. Antennal scrobes absent. Labrum with median notch or concavity. Proximal face of stipes projecting beyond inner margin of sclerite, concealing prementum when mouthparts fully closed. Maxillary palps 2-segmented. Labial palps 3-segmented. Mandibles polymorphic, from triangular with teeth to falcate with teeth on elongated masticatory margin. Eyes present, composed of seemingly single large ommatidium, in reality composed from multiple fused ommatidia. Ocelli absent. Head capsule with differentiated vertical posterior surface above occipital foramen. Ventrolateral margins of head without lamella or ridge extending towards mandibles and beyond carina surrounding occipital foramen. Posterior head corners dorsolaterally immarginate. Carina surrounding occipital foramen ventrally absent. Mesosoma: Pronotal flange not separated from collar by distinct ridge. Promesonotal connection with suture completely fused. Pronotomesopleural suture completely fused. Mesometapleural groove not impressed. Transverse groove dividing mesopleuron absent. Pleural endophragmal pit concavity present. Mesosoma dorsolaterally immarginate. Metanotal depression or groove on mesosoma present. Propodeal spiracle situated high on sclerite. Propodeal declivity without distinct dorsal edge or margin and rectangular in posterior view. Metapleural gland with bulla visible through cuticle. Propodeal lobes absent or very short. Metasoma: Petiole anterodorsally marginate with carina low on anterior face, dorsolaterally immarginate, and laterally above spiracle immarginate. Helcium in relation to tergosternal suture placed at posttergite and axial. Prora forming a V-shaped protrusion. Spiracle openings of abdominal segments IV–VI oval. Abdominal segment III anterodorsally immarginate and dorsolaterally immarginate. Abdominal segment III about half size of succeeding segment IV, which is strongly constricted at presegmental portion (binodal waist). Girdling constriction of segment IV present, i.e. pre- and postsclerites distinct. Cinctus of abdominal segment IV gutter-like and sculptured but not cross-ribbed. Abdominal segment IV conspicuously largest segment. Abdominal tergite IV not folding over sternite, and anterior portions of sternite and tergite equally well visible in lateral view. Girdling constriction between pre- and posttergites of abdominal segments V and VI absent. Girdling constriction between pre- and poststernites of abdominal segments V and VI absent. Pygidium small, reduced to narrow strip, without impressed medial field and armed with modified setae. Hypopygium unarmed. Legs: Mid tibia with single pectinate spur. Hind tibia with single pectinate spur. Hind basitarsus not widening distally, circular in cross-section. Posterior flange of hind coxa not produced as raised lamella. Metatibial gland present as patch of whitish cuticle occupying at least half of tibia length. Metabasitarsal gland absent. Hind pretarsal claws each armed with a tooth. Polymorphism: Highly polymorphic.

Queen

Borowiec (2016) - Dichthadiiform, with minute eyes and no ocelli. The queen is known for Labidus coecus and Labidus praedator. For more details and a description of the former see Weber (1941) and Borgmeier (1958) for a description of L. praedator queen.

Male

Borowiec (2016) - Head: Antennae with 13 segments. Clypeus without cuticular apron. Parafrontal ridges absent. Torulo-posttorular complex vertical. Maxillary palps 2-segmented. Labial palps 2-segmented. Mandibles falcate. Ventrolateral margins of head without lamella or ridge extending towards mandibles and beyond carina surrounding occipital foramen. Carina surrounding occipital foramen ventrally absent. Mesosoma: Pronotal flange not separated from collar by distinct ridge. Notauli absent. Transverse groove dividing mesopleuron absent. Propodeal declivity reduced, without distinct dorsal edge or margin. Metapleural gland opening absent. Propodeal lobes present. Metasoma: Petiole anterodorsally immarginate, dorsolaterally immarginate, and laterally above spiracle immarginate. Helcium in relation to tergosternal suture placed at suture and axial. Prora forming a simple U-shaped margin or a broad cuticular lip, not delimited by carina; central protuberance may be present. Spiracle openings of abdominal segments IV–VI slit-shaped. Abdominal segment III more than half size of succeeding segment IV; latter weakly constricted at presegmental portion (uninodal waist). Girdling constriction of segment IV absent, i.e. pre- and postsclerites indistinct. Cinctus of abdominal segment IV absent, not impressed. Girdling constriction between pre- and postsclerites of abdominal segments V and VI absent. Abdominal segment IV not conspicuously largest segment. Abdominal sternite VII simple. Abdominal sternite IX distally armed with two spines, with lateral apodemes longer than much reduced medial apodeme, directed anteriorly (towards head). Genitalia: Cupula very long, nearing or surpassing length of rest of genital capsule and of approximately equal length on both dorsal and ventral surfaces. Basimere narrowly fused to telomere, with sulcus discernable at junction, and ventrally with left and right arms abutting. Telomere expanded at apex. Volsella laterally flattened, narrow and tapered towards tip. Penisvalva not flattened at apex, expanded. Legs: Mid tibia with single pectinate spur. Hind tibia with single pectinate spur. Posterior flange of hind coxa not produced as raised lamella. Metatibial gland absent. Metabasitarsal glands absent. Hind pretarsal claws each armed with a tooth. Wings: Tegula present, broad, demiovate in shape. Vein C in fore wing present. Pterostigma narrow. Abscissa R·f3 present, running toward distal wing margin and enclosing cell with Rs·f5. Abscissae Rs·f2–3 present, connecting with Rs+M&M·f2. Cross-vein 2r-rs present, differentiated from Rs·f4 by presence of Rs·f2–3. Abscissae Rs·f4–5 differentiated into Rs·f4 and Rs·f5 by 2rs-m. Abscissa M·f2 in fore wing present, separated from Rs+M by Rs·f2. Abscissa M·f4 in fore wing present, reaching wing margin. Cross-vein 1m-cu in fore wing present. Cross-vein cu-a in fore wing present, arising from Cu and distal to, at or near M·f1. Vein Cu in fore wing present, with both branches Cu1 and Cu2. Vein A in fore wing with abscissae A·f1 and A·f2 present. Vein C in hind wing present. Vein R in hind wing present, reaching distal wing margin. Vein Sc+R in hind wing present. Abscissa Rs·f1 in hind wing present, shorter than 1rs-m. Abscissa Rs·f2 in hind wing present, reaching wing margin. Cross-vein 1rs-m in hind wing fused with M·f1. Vein M+Cu in hind wing present. Abscissa M·f1 in hind wing present. Abscissa M·f2 in hind wing present. Cross-vein cu-a in hind wing present. Vein Cu in hind wing present. Vein A in hind wing with abscissae A·f1 and A·f2 present.

Shuckard (1840) - Char. Body elongate, cylindrical.

Head small, short, transverse, flat. Antennae varying in length, usually setaceous, curved and inserted within two facial projections (forming vertical carinae) upon the anterior margin of the nearly obsolete clypeus, the scape never more than one-fourth the length of the flagellum, the apex of which frequently extends as far back as the insertion of the superior wings. Eyes large, lateral, subglobose, and very prominent. Ocelli large and very prominent, and placed in a curve upon the vertex. Mandibles elongate, slender, arcuate, and forcipate, always leaving an open space usually semicircular between them and the clypeus. Labrum triangular, the apex rounded, and in repose shutting down upon and inclosing the internal trophi. Maxillary palpi two-jointed, shorter than the labial? Labial palpi two-jointed, slender, the basal joint the longest. Labium triangular.

Thorax ovate, gibbous: prothorax extending laterally to the insertion of the wings, which is at about half the length of the thorax: scutellum transverse: metathorax perpendicular and abruptly truncated.

Superior wings usually as long or longer than the abdomen, rarely shorter, with one marginal and three submarginal cells, which vary in form in the species, and one recurrent nervure, which is inserted about the middle of the second submarginal cell.

Legs varying in length in the species: coxae large, not deeply excavated above: trochanters small, triangular: femora and tibiae cylindrical, all the latter with a single calcar at their apex, which is usually dilated at the base: tarsi long and slender, the basal joint the most robust and the longest, the remainder decreasing in length, excepting the terminal one, which is a little longer than the penultimate: claws armed with a minute tooth just within the apex, and furnished with a small pulvillus within their fork.

Abdomen cylindrical, slightly curved, the segments frequently slightly constricted, the basal one forming a variously constructed peduncle, occasionally either flat or concave above, but most frequently transversely convex, and ... always separated from the following by a deep incisure. Penultimate and antepenultimate segments subequal, and the terminal one strictly compressed vertically at its apex, where it is profoundly emarginate. The male sexual organ usually protruding in the form of a deeply canaliculated and ernarginated plate or two acuminated compressed and curved spines.

Larva

Borowiec (2016) - Larvae of Labidus have been described in Wheeler (1943) and Wheeler and Wheeler (1964b, 1984). Cocoons present.

References

  • Borowiec, M.L. 2016. Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dorylinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 608: 1-280 (doi: 10.3897/zookeys.608.9427).
  • Bolton, B. 1990e. Army ants reassessed: the phylogeny and classification of the doryline section (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). J. Nat. Hist. 2 24: 1339-1364 (page 1357, Labidus in Ecitoninae, Ecitonini)
  • Bolton, B. 1994. Identification guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 222 pp. (page 39, Labidus in Ecitoninae, Ecitonini)
  • Bolton, B. 2003. Synopsis and Classification of Formicidae. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 71: 370pp (page 144, Labidus as genus)
  • Borgmeier, T. 1923. Catalogo systematico e synonymico das formigas do Brasil. 1 parte. Subfam. Dorylinae, Cerapachyinae, Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae. Arch. Mus. Nac. (Rio J.) 24: 33-103 (page 41, Labidus as subgenus of Eciton)
  • Borgmeier, T. 1953. Vorarbeiten zu einer Revision der neotropischen Wanderameisen. Stud. Entomol. 2: 1-51 (page 4, Labidus revived status as genus)
  • Borgmeier, T. 1955. Die Wanderameisen der neotropischen Region. Stud. Entomol. 3: 1-720 (page 79, 80, Labidus in Dorylinae, Ecitonini; Revision of genus; Labidus as genus)
  • Borowiec, M.L. 2019. Convergent evolution of the army ant syndrome and congruence in big-data phylogenetics. Systematic Biology 68, 642–656 (doi:10.1093/sysbio/syy088).
  • Boudinot, B.E. 2019. Hormigas de Colombia. Cap. 15. Clave para las subfamilias y generos basada en machos. Pp. 487-499 in: Fernández, F., Guerrero, R.J., Delsinne, T. (eds.) 2019d. Hormigas de Colombia. Bogotá: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 1198 pp.
  • Brown, W. L., Jr. 1973b. A comparison of the Hylean and Congo-West African rain forest ant faunas. Pp. 161-185 in: Meggers, B. J., Ayensu, E. S., Duckworth, W. D. (eds.) Tropical forest ecosystems in Africa and South America: a comparative review. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, viii + 350 pp. (page 166, Labidus in Ecitoninae)
  • Burchill, A.T., Moreau, C.S. 2016. Colony size evolution in ants: macroevolutionary trends. Insectes Sociaux 63, 291–298 (doi:10.1007/s00040-016-0465-3).
  • Cantone S. 2018. Winged Ants, The queen. Dichotomous key to genera of winged female ants in the World. The Wings of Ants: morphological and systematic relationships (self-published).
  • Cantone, S., Von Zuben, C.J. 2019. The hindwings of ants: A phylogenetic analysis. Psyche: A Journal of Entomology 2019, 1–11 (doi:10.1155/2019/7929717).
  • Chanson, A., Moreau, C.S., Duplais, C. 2023. Impact of nesting mode, diet, and taxonomy in structuring the associated microbial communities of Amazonian ants. Diversity 15, 126 (doi:10.3390/d15020126).
  • Creighton, W. S. 1950a. The ants of North America. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 104: 1-585 (page 61, Labidus as subgenus of Eciton)
  • Cresson, E. T. 1887. Synopsis of the families and genera of the Hymenoptera of America, north of Mexico, together with a catalogue of the described species, and bibliography. Trans. Am. Entomol. Soc., Suppl. Vol. 1887: 1-351 (page 259, Labidus in Dorylidae)
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