Body is brownish black, legs and antennal segments are brown; the node is large. The eyes are small; the mandibles are large and light brown.
Nests are in dark, damp locations in soil beneath stones, logs, mulch, railroad ties, ornamental stones, and concrete pavers. The colony size ranges from a small nest of about 50 ants to large colonies of 50,000. Large colonies may have multiple queens.
Workers are active beginning in March and continuing to October. Swarming occurs in July and August.
Habits. These ants can deliver a painful sting, similar to a fire ant. They forage on other insects, including termites. Their distribution may continue to spread.