The keys to genera are listed below by subfamily:

Note that only one Ponerine genus and species (P. pennsylvanicus) has been collected in Cowling Arboretum, McKnight Prairie, and the rest of Minnesota, while the other genera in the Ponerinae key have been collected in states to the south and east. Only one Dolichoderine genus and species (Tapinoma sessile) has been collected in Cowling Arboretum, although the other genera in the Dolichoderinae key have been collected in other areas across Minnesota and all adjacent states.

Genera marked with an asterisk have not been collected in Cowling Arboretum or McKnight Prairie, although they have been collected in other areas of Minnesota or in surrounding states. The states where the genus has been collected are listed in parenthesis when the taxa is reached in the key.