Wood ants, mound ants, & field ants
Formica
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Superfamily: Formicoidea
- Family: Formicidae
- Subfamily: Formicinae
- Tribe: Formicini
- Genus: Formica
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Formica: /ˈfɔr.mɪ.ka/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Formica is a diverse genus of ants commonly known as wood ants, mound ants, and field ants. They are important ecologically, live in various habitats, and exhibit interesting social and reproductive behaviors.
Physical Characteristics
Workers 4‒8 mm long; alates 5‒13 mm with a knob or bump between thorax and abdomen; double row of bristles on tibiae; 12-segmented antennae (13 in males); palp formula 6,4.
Identification Tips
Look for the conspicuous ocelli in workers, bumpy mesosoma profile, elongated dorsal surface of propodeal profile, and the presence of a single bump between thorax and abdomen.
Habitat
Open woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands; some species can inhabit flooded areas or forests but prefer non-flooded lands.
Distribution
Northern Hemisphere ranging from Subarctic to Warm Temperate zones, including high elevations south to Honduras.
Diet
Primarily honeydew from aphids, but also prey on various arthropods and sometimes scavenge on earthworms.
Life Cycle
Life cycle includes mating flights typically from late June through early August, with worker activity peaking in spring until frost.
Reproduction
Colonies are commonly polygynous, with some species having multiple queens or being social parasites, establishing colonies by invading other species' nests.
Predators
Various predators including birds and other insects that may feed on Formica ants.
Ecosystem Role
Play a substantial role in their ecosystems as predators of pests, defenders of aphid populations, and by aiding in nutrient cycling through their mound-building activities.
Economic Impact
Some species are introduced in forests to control tree pests, thus supporting forestry management.
Health Concerns
Formica ants can squirt formic acid when threatened, leading them to sometimes be perceived negatively in human habitats.
Collecting Methods
- Pitfall traps
- Berlese funnels
- Hand collecting
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol
- Drying specimens
Evolution
The genus has evolved socially parasitic behaviors, with some species relying on invading other colonies for brood care and labor.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
The term 'piss-ant' is derived from their ability to squirt acid, which can mislead people to think they are dangerous despite their benefits in ecosystems.
Tags
- Formica
- wood ants
- mound ants
- ecosystem
- social behavior
- Hymenoptera