Aphaenogaster treatae

Forel, 1886

Treat's Collared Ant

Aphaenogaster treatae, commonly known as Treat's Collared , is a of ant in the Aphaenogaster. Described by Forel in 1886, this species belongs to the tribe Stenammini within the Myrmicinae. The species has been documented through 188 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is a recognized though not extensively studied member of the eastern temperate forest ant fauna. As with many Aphaenogaster species, it is likely a ground-nesting ant, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented in the available literature.

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

Aphaenogaster treatae pluteicornis var. oklahomensis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aphaenogaster treatae: /æfiːnəˈɡæstər ˈtriː.aːtiː/

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Images

Distribution

Eastern United States, based on iNaturalist observation records and the distribution pattern typical of Aphaenogaster in this region.

Similar Taxa

Aphaenogaster mariaeBoth are rare, eastern North American Aphaenogaster described in the 1880s. A. mariae is distinguished by its arboreal nesting habits and radiating abdominal lines, whereas A. treatae appears to be ground-nesting based on -level patterns.
Aphaenogaster rudisA common eastern temperate forest Aphaenogaster that nests under rocks and in soil; A. treatae may overlap in but likely differs in specific microhabitat preferences or morphological details.
Aphaenogaster piceaAnother eastern North American Aphaenogaster ; separation likely requires examination of specific morphological characters such as propodeal spine shape and pilosity patterns.

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The specific epithet 'treatae' honors Mary Treat, a 19th-century American naturalist known for her work on plants and insects.

Data Limitations

Most available sources for this provide only taxonomic classification without detailed natural history. The extensive documentation of A. mariae in 2023 highlights how much remains unknown about related Aphaenogaster species.