Workers are generally about 3–5 mm.
Fine-art photographic collection
Crematogaster scutellaris
A red-headed acrobat ant that raises its heart-shaped abdomen in defence.
About this species
Red-headed acrobat ant
Crematogaster scutellaris(Olivier, 1792)
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Crematogaster scutellaris is a conspicuous Mediterranean tree ant. Colonies nest in wood and recruit strongly along trunks and branches to honeydew, insects and carrion.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Crematogaster
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
Mediterranean regionBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Mediterranean Europe and North Africa, with local introductions farther north.
Warm woodland, orchards, olive groves, cork oak and urban trees.
Highly active in warm weather and capable of maintaining busy arboreal trails.
Honeydew, nectar, carrion and small arthropods.
Large colonies occupy cavities in dead wood and may use several connected nesting sites.
What makes this species remarkable?
Workers bend the gaster forward over the body and can apply defensive secretions toward an attacker.
The red head contrasts sharply with the dark body.
Colonies can become dominant on individual trees and exclude competing ants from food resources.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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