Mystrium voeltzkowi has an unusual caste system. These unusual ants are dimorphic, with a small red caste that appears to work mostly in the brood nest and a larger, dark caste that performs most of the foraging and guarding of the nest. Interestingly, the ants that perform as reproductive queens are drawn from the smaller caste. Madagascar

mystrium mysticummystriumamblyoponinaeformicidaeinsectsinsecthymenopterajawsleaf litterponeromorphmystery antmadagascarsocial insectseusocialiitycastereproductivelife cyclepolymorphismdimorphicqueen antsreproductive castes