Myrmicinae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Superfamily: Formicoidea
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Myrmicinae: //mɜːrˈmɪsɪniː//

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

Images

Atta mexicana casent0421377 head 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Atta texana casent0006046 dorsal 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Atta mexicana casent0421379 head 1 by April Nobile. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Atta mexicana casent0421377 dorsal 1 by wikipedia. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Leucoagaricus gongylophorus grown by Atta texana (Texas, USA) 2 by Blake Bringhurst. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Acromyrmex versicolor casent0104036 dorsal 1 by April Nobile. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Myrmicinae is the largest ant subfamily, containing approximately 140 extant genera and known for diverse species richness worldwide, particularly in genera like Pheidole, Crematogaster, and Solenopsis. They are characterized by their postpetiole, fused mesosoma, and cosmopolitan distribution, occupying various habitats.

Physical Characteristics

Myrmicine worker ants have a distinct postpetiole, where abdominal segment III is notably smaller than segment IV. They have a well-developed clypeus and a fused pronotum to the rest of the mesosoma, with a weakly impressed or absent promesonotal suture. Many species possess a functional sting and well-developed eyes with frontal lobes that partly conceal antennal insertions.

Identification Tips

Identification can be made based on the distinct postpetiole, the fused pronotum, and the presence of a functional sting. The abdominal waist is two-segmented with a petiole and postpetiole.

Habitat

Cosmopolitan; mainly in soil, leaf litter, and rotting wood. Some species are arboreal, while northern and alpine species nest under heat-gathering rocks.

Distribution

Worldwide, extending to within the Arctic Circle.

Diet

Generalist foragers, seed harvesters (e.g., Pogonomyrmex, Messor, Pheidole), and fungus cultivators (e.g., Attini).

Life Cycle

Pupae lack cocoons.

Reproduction

Nesting is permanent and includes habitats like soil, rotting wood, under stones, or in trees.

Ecosystem Role

Myrmicinae play diverse roles in ecosystems as foragers, seed dispersers, and fungus cultivators.