Prenolepis
Mayr, 1861
Winter Ants and Allies
Prenolepis is a of in the Formicinae with a wide geographic distribution spanning southeastern Asia, southern China, North America, southern Europe, Anatolia, Cuba, Haiti, and West Africa. The genus is best known for P. imparis, commonly called the winter ant or false ant, which exhibits unique cold-adapted activity patterns and serves as a model organism for thermal physiology research. Most Prenolepis are small, ground-nesting ants that inhabit woodland and forest environments.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Prenolepis: //prɛˈnoʊlɪpɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Habitat
Most nest in soil, frequently in woodland and forest environments. P. imparis specifically occupies cool, shady, and moist microhabitats, often associated with oak woodlands and well-drained but moist soils.
Distribution
Southeastern Asia and southern China (majority of ); also present in North America, southern Europe, Anatolia, Cuba, Haiti, and West Africa. P. imparis occurs throughout most of the continental United States, with scattered localities in Mexico, from sea level to 8,000 feet elevation.
Seasonality
P. imparis exhibits distinctive winter activity, foraging at near-freezing temperatures when most other are inactive; retreats from surface during mid-summer. occur February through April, with leaving colonies on warm days above 65°F.
Behavior
P. imparis forms that store fat and nutrients as living energy reserves for the colony. Workers are highly aggressive and form large mobilizations at rich food sources. The tends -sucking including and in mutualistic relationships.
Similar Taxa
- LasiusSimilar small, ground-nesting Formicinae ; Prenolepis distinguished by cold-adapted activity patterns and
- FormicaBoth woodland Formicinae ; Prenolepis smaller (3-4 mm vs. 5-6+ mm), with more pronounced seasonal activity shifts
- Paratrechina in eastern forests; Prenolepis distinguished by winter activity vs. warm-season activity in Paratrechina
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Ants and Moths: Think Noon and Night! | Bug Squad
- Midget male meloid mates with mega mama | Beetles In The Bush
- The Inexorable March of Spring! | Beetles In The Bush
- Ants invade Beetles in the Bush! | Beetles In The Bush
- CITRONELLOL ATTRACTS MALE PRENOLEPIS IMPARIS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)
- Genome assembly of the winter ant, Prenolepis imparis
- Phylogeography and population genetics of a widespread cold-adapted ant, Prenolepis imparis
- Winter Ant, False Honey Ant Prenolepis imparis (Say) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae)
- Seasonal life history and nest architecture of a winter-active ant,Prenolepis imparis Lebenszyklus und Nestbau einer kryophilen AmeisePrenolepsis imparis
- Foraging patterns in three sympatric forest ant species, Prenolepis imparis, Paratrechina melanderi and Aphaenogaster rudis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
- Contributions to the Knowledge of the Myrmecophilous Pselaphines (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae) from China. IX. a Redefinition of the Genus Anaclasiger, with a Description of a Second Species Associated with Prenolepis sphingthoraxa (Hymenoptera
- The effects of the invasive Argentine ant ( Linepithema humile ) and the native ant Prenolepis imparis on the structure of insect herbivore communities on willow trees ( Salix lasiolepis )
- Intraspecific variation in thermal acclimation and tolerance between populations of the winter ant, Prenolepis imparis