It lives underground in tropical regions and forms a mutualistic association with the mealybug, Xenococcus annandalei.

[3] This ant is found in rainforests in tropical regions of India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sarawak, Singapore, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia.

[3] In Australia it is not usually found above 300 metres and occupies a similar range to the weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina.

When the soil is warm and damp, the ants and mealybugs remain just below the surface, but during cold, dry weather they descend to greater depths.

[3] X. annandalei has not been found anywhere except in association with A. acutiventris in its nest, and while being transported by the queen who carries a female mealybug on her nuptial flight.