They raise menacingly their pointed abdomen when they are feeling attacked, emitting a small drop of pheromones from the rear end.

The smell of the pheromone causes a general mobilization in the nest and any intruder is soon surrounded by a mass of aggressive ants.

Between March and October workers collect and carry mainly sugary liquid substances and solid materials (remains of arthropods, small insects, etc.

These ants are natural predators of Thaumetopoea pityocampa, a moth that is a devastating pest of Mediterranean pines (especially Pinus halepensis).

Currently there is no evidence of immediate predation of these aphids inside the galls, so they are likely stored to overwinter due to a mutualistic relationship and/or serve as food storage.