Subfamily AMBLYOPONINAE
Prionopelta kraepelini
Forel, 1905
Uncommon
Native in HK: No*
Tramp species: Yes
Pest species: No
Nesting: Hypogaeic
Foraging: Subterranean / Leaf litter
Habitats: Disturbed open habitats
Colony size: 30–100
Colony: Monogynous*
Castes: Monomorphic
Active time: N/A
Diets: Generalist predator (soil arthropods)
Distribution.
One of the most widespread species in the genus. Native from the tropical regions of East Asia, this species has been introduced to New Zealand (indoor only) and several Pacific islands.
Biology & Ecology.
In Hong Kong, this species is likely to have been introduced as it is commonly encountered within urban areas characterized by high level of disturbance but, so far, has never been encountered within more natural habitats.
Despite its introduced status, the species is unlikely to have a strong impact on the native fauna due to its cryptic nature and putative small colony size. The ecology of this species remains, for its most part, unknown.
Identification.
The species can be recognized by its small size (1.7–2.1 mm) and by having different sculpture on different parts of the dorsum of its mesosoma (anterior portion vs middle and posterior portions).