Formicinae

Latreille, 1802

formicine ants

Tribe Guides

Camponotini(Camponotine Ants)
Formicini
Lasiini(Lasiine Ants)
Myrmelachistini(Myrmelachistine Ants)

Formicinae is a large and diverse of ants characterized by a single-segmented petiole in the form of a vertical , reduced stings, and the production of formic acid as a defensive compound. Members retain several primitive features including cocoons around pupae and ocelli in . The subfamily includes familiar ants such as carpenter ants (Camponotus), weaver ants (Oecophylla), and honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus). Formicines exhibit diverse ecological strategies including mutualism with sap-feeding hemipterans and specialized slave-making in some lineages.

Camponotus absquatulator by (c) April Nobile, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Camponotus novogranadensis by (c) April Nobile, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Camponotus caryae (Fitch, 1855) by (c) Raven Dandridge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Raven Dandridge. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Formicinae: //fɔːrˈmɪsɪniː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Formicine ants are distinguished by a single node-like or -like petiole with the postpetiole entirely absent. The apex of the features a circular or U-shaped opening called the acidopore, typically fringed with hairs, through which formic acid is ejected. A functional sting is absent. When the acidopore is concealed by the , the antennal sockets are located well behind the margin of the . Most formicines possess well-developed , unconcealed antennal insertions not hidden by frontal carinae, and a present and flexible promesonotal .

Images

Distribution

Formicinae has a global distribution spanning all continents except Antarctica. The is particularly diverse in tropical and temperate regions. Specific distributions of constituent vary: Polyergus occur in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions; Paraparatrechina neela is known from the Eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh, India; Chthonolasius species occur in northern France and Europe; Prenolepis imparis ranges across eastern North America in association with oak forests.

Behavior

Formicine ants exhibit ritualized for food resources, as documented between Polyrhachis laboriosa and Camponotus brutus in African equatorial forests, involving 'flee-return' strategies, displays, and restrained physical contact that avoids overt aggression. The includes slave-making such as Polyergus, which raid nests of related species to capture that mature as in the colony. Many formicines maintain mutualistic associations with sap-feeding hemipterans, protecting them in exchange for honeydew.

Similar Taxa

MyrmicinaeMyrmicinae possess a two-segmented petiole (petiole and postpetiole) versus the single-segmented -like petiole of Formicinae; myrmicines also lack the acidopore characteristic of formicines.
DolichoderinaeDolichoderinae lack the acidopore and formic acid defense of Formicinae; formicines have antennal sockets well behind the clypeal margin when the acidopore is concealed, which helps distinguish them from dolichoderines where antennal sockets are positioned differently.