These ants can vary greatly in their size and appearance and can be found in most habitats and the nests can contain a large number of workers. They are predators and can be seen foraging on the ground and in vegetation. Ponerinae have stings, some species packing quite a punch.

Most people living on the Sunshine Coast have encountered one particular species from the Ponerinae subfamily - Green-head Ants, also known as Green Ants. These ants can be found in huge numbers, nesting in the soil in gardens and lawns. They are very aggressive when disturbed and their sting is quite painful, as I have found out many times.