Leptothorax canadensis

Provancher, 1887

Northern Thin Ant

Leptothorax canadensis is a small to eastern North America, where it is one of the most common ants in coniferous forests. The exhibits facultative , with colonies containing multiple fertile . It is also known as a slave-making ant, conducting organized raids on colonies—particularly Leptothorax muscorum—to capture that emerge as serving the slave-making colony. Genetic studies indicate a multicolonial structure with moderate and no evidence of inbreeding.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leptothorax canadensis: /lɛptoʊˈθɔːræks kænəˈdɛnsɪs/

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Habitat

coniferous forests; pine forests in eastern North America. Colonies establish in areas with high of .

Distribution

Eastern North America, including Vermont and New York (USA), with range extending into Canada. An isolated occurs in southern New Hampshire.

Host Associations

  • Leptothorax muscorum - Target of slave raids; captured to serve as in slave-making colony

Life Cycle

Colonies capture from during slave raids; captured pupae emerge as that maintain and serve the slave-making colony.

Behavior

Slave raiding: organized raids on colonies to capture . Territoriality observed in spatial distribution of colonies relative to host . Facultative : colonies may contain several fertile , with frequent changes in queen number.

Ecological Role

and slave-maker; impacts through pupal theft.

Similar Taxa

  • Leptothorax muscorum distinguished by non-parasitic lifestyle and different colony structure; subject to raids by L. canadensis
  • Harpagoxenus canadensisOlder name for same ; taxonomic synonym now placed in Leptothorax

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Sources and further reading