Paratrechina is one of seven ant genera (alongside Euprenolepis, Nylanderia, Paraparatrechina, Prenolepis, Pseudolasius, and Zatania) in the Prenolepis genus-group from the subfamily Formicinae (tribe Lasiini). Six species are included in Paratrechina; one of which, the longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis), is a widespread, pantropical pest. Species Paratrechina ankarana LaPolla & Fisher, 2014 Paratrechina antsingy LaPolla & Fisher, 2014 Paratrechina kohli (Forel, 1916) Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802) Paratrechina umbra (Zhou & Zheng, 1998) Paratrechina zanjensis LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2013 Distribution Most Paratrechina species are native to Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, but one species, Paratrechina umbra, has only been found in southern China and is native to Southeast Asia. The only species found outside of these regions is Paratrechina longicornis, which has been introduced by humans to tropical areas across the globe. The native range of Paratrechina longicornis is currently unknown, but it is thought to be of either African or Asian origin. Although Paratrechina longicornis has been found in undisturbed habitats in Southeast Asia, the Afrotropics are the center of Paratrechina diversity. Paratrechina zanjensis, the purported sister species to Paratrechina longicornis, is found specifically in miombo woodlands across central and eastern Africa (including Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique), and Paratrechina longicornis is also considered a woodland specialist. Taxonomy In 2010, the genus Paratrechina was discovered to be paraphyletic with respect to the subgenus Nylanderia, which was then elevated to full generic status. This taxonomic change resulted in Paratrechina becoming monotypic with Paratrechina longicornis as its sole species. A taxonomic review of Paratrechina in 2013 resulted in the description of another species from Africa, called Paratrechina zanjensis, and in 2014 the central African species Paratrechina kohli was transferred from Prenolepis and two more new species from Madagascar were described: Paratrechina ankarana and Paratrechina antsingy. The last taxonomic change to the genus was in 2016 when the Southeast Asian species Paratrechina umbra was transferred from Prenolepis, bringing Paratrechina to a total count of six species. This includes the ant commonly known as a "sugar ant", or "concrete ant". Not to be confused with pavement ants, as these are a separate species of ant. Morphology Workers Paratrechina species are most readily recognized by their gracile appearance due to their elongate scapes (first antennal segment), head, tibiae, and mesosoma. They also have erect macrosetae on the pronotum and mesonotum, but not the propodeum. The mesonotal and metanotal sutures of the mesosoma are always deep