Dolichoderus

This is a large, diverse genus which occurs in forested areas, from dry savanna woodlands to rain forests. Some species form small, cryptic colonies in soil, hollow plant stems, and litter. Others have large colonies that make small mounds of vegetative debris and forage along conspicuous trails, frequently in bogs or pine barrens.

Still others form large arboreal nests sometimes using plant fibers to form coverings during nest construction. In general, workers are diurnal and are general scavengers and also tend aphids and other Hemiptera. They often forage in columns on the ground or on low vegetation and trees. During warm weather, some species will move their larvae to the surface of the ground for warmth.