The ant subfamily Dolichoderinae is one of the larger and more conspicuous groups of ants, found in all major biogeographic realms and comprising more than 600 described species. It contains many ecologically dominant taxa, and includes several prominent invasive species such as the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). We present a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily, based on ~9kb of sequence data from ten nuclear genes, and ~50 exemplar taxa. The results are discussed in relation to the biogeographic history of the group and the evolution of hemipteran-tending habits by these ants.