Medium to large (TL 7–20 mm) robust ants with the standard characters of Ponerini. Mandibles triangular, sometimes with a faint basal groove. Anterior margin of clypeus convex and often medially emarginate. Frontal lobes moderately large. Eyes of moderate size and located anterior of head midline. Pronotum often with sharp lateral margins. Mesopleuron variable: fully, partially, or not at all divided by a transverse groove. Metanotal groove absent or at most present as a faint suture. Propodeum broad dorsally. Propodeal spiracles slit-shaped. Metapleural gland orifice with a posterior U-shaped cuticular lip and a lateral depression. Metatibial spur formula (1s, 1p). Petiole with a thick block-like node which widens posteriorly. Gaster with only a weak girdling constriction between pre- and postsclerites of A4. Hypopygium with a row of stout spines on either side of the sting. Head and body densely punctate to striate (rugoreticulate in at least one population of P. harpax), with abundant pilosity and dense pubescence. Color dark brown to black.