Abstract: ： In order to reveal ant diversity regularity in southeastern Yunnan, ant community composition of the area was surveyed through sample-plot method. Totally 10 subfamilies, 64 genera and 197 species of Formicidae were recognized. One dominant species（Pseudolasius sp.1, occupying 0.51%）, 2 common species（occupying 1.02%）, 18 relatively common species （occupying 9.14%）, 38 relatively rare species（occupying 19.29%）, and 138 rare species（occupying 70.05%） are found in the ant community of southeastern Yunnan. The richness of rare species helps to increase the value of biodiversity conservation in the area. Among the 5 surveyed vertical zones, their ant community composition has expressed obvious differences. The vertical zones of Shizong and Qiubei-Shizong have relatively higher average elevation, less vegetation types and simple tree species, therefore poor ant species are found in the community. In contrast, the vertical zones of Xichou-Malipo and Maguan-Hekou have relatively lower average elevation, rich vegetation types and complex tree species, therefore plentiful ant species are found in the community. It provides good conditions for the survival of ants, and the ant community is rich in species. A number of undetermined ant species are found in area, which indicates that a taxonomic work is necessary.

Key words: ant, species, community composition, southeastern Yunnan