Small to medium workers; majors have enlarged, truncated heads adapted to nest defence.
Fine-art photographic collection
Colobopsis stricta
An arboreal ant whose soldiers can seal the nest with their heads.
About this species
Door-headed canopy ant
Colobopsis stricta(Smith, 1858)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Colobopsis stricta is a Southeast Asian arboreal ant. Colonies use narrow cavities in wood, and major workers possess modified heads that can function as living doors, blocking entrances against intruders.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Formicinae · Camponotini · Colobopsis
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Malaysia and Southeast AsiaBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
Tropical forest trees, dead branches and pre-existing cavities in wood.
Workers forage on trunks and branches for sugary liquids and small animal food.
Honeydew, plant exudates, carrion and tiny arthropods.
Arboreal colonies with specialised majors that defend restricted nest openings.
What makes this species remarkable?
The major’s head can match the shape of the nest entrance.
This living-door defence is known as phragmosis.
Colonies depend on naturally occurring cavities rather than excavating extensive tunnels.