Formicinae
Guides
Nylanderia hystrix
Nylanderia hystrix is a species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae, described by Trager in 1984. The specific epithet 'hystrix' (Latin for 'porcupine') likely refers to some aspect of the species' morphology, possibly pilosity or spine-like structures. As a member of the genus Nylanderia, it belongs to a group commonly known as crazy ants due to their erratic, rapid movements. The genus Nylanderia contains numerous species distributed globally, with several being notable invasive pests.
Nylanderia steinheili
West Indian Crazy Ant
Nylanderia steinheili is an introduced ant species in the Nearctic region, originally described by Forel in 1893 under the genus Prenolepis. It is one of at least five Nylanderia species introduced to North America from tropical regions. The species is known from the West Indies and has been recorded in the Galápagos Islands and parts of South America. Its introduced status in the Nearctic suggests potential for ecological impact, though specific biological details remain poorly documented compared to congeners like the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva).
Nylanderia terricola
Nylanderia terricola is a Nearctic ant species in the subfamily Formicinae, originally described by Buckley in 1866. Workers of this species are morphologically difficult to distinguish from N. vividula, and accurate identification typically requires examination of male specimens. The species belongs to a genus that includes both native and introduced species in the Nearctic region.
Nylanderia vividula
Field Crazy Ant
Nylanderia vividula is a species of ant in the subfamily Formicinae, commonly known as the Field Crazy Ant. Workers are morphologically similar to N. terricola, requiring examination of males for definitive identification. The species was originally described by Nylander in 1846 and has undergone taxonomic revision, with the subspecies N. vividula mjobergi synonymized under the senior name. It is native to the Nearctic region and has been recorded from multiple countries including Cuba and Cyprus.
Paratrechina
longhorn crazy ants
Paratrechina is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae containing six described species. The genus underwent major taxonomic revision in 2010 when it was discovered to be paraphyletic, resulting in the elevation of Nylanderia to generic status and reducing Paratrechina to a single species. Subsequent revisions between 2013 and 2016 restored the genus to six species through new descriptions and transfers from Prenolepis. The longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) is the most widely distributed species, having become a pantropical invasive pest through human-mediated transport. Most species are native to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, with one species (P. umbra) native to Southeast Asia.
Polyergus
Amazon ants, slave-raiding ants, slave-making ants
Polyergus is a genus of 14 described species of obligate slave-making ants found throughout the northern hemisphere. Workers possess highly specialized dagger-like mandibles adapted for piercing the heads of host ants during raids, but have lost the ability to perform brood care or feed themselves. All colonies depend entirely on captured workers from the genus Formica to perform nest maintenance, foraging, and brood rearing. New colonies are founded when a single queen invades an existing Formica nest, eventually killing the host queen and assuming control of the worker force.
Polyergus lucidus
Shining Slave-Making Ant, Shining Amazon Ant, Lucidus-group Amazon Ant
Polyergus lucidus is an obligatory social parasite and slave-making ant endemic to the eastern United States. Workers are incapable of feeding themselves or rearing their own brood, relying entirely on captured host ants to perform these tasks. The species conducts organized raids on nests of Formica ants, primarily Formica incerta, capturing pupae that mature into functional workers in the parasite colony. P. lucidus exhibits strong host specificity, with colonies typically containing only one slave species despite multiple potential hosts being available in the same habitat.
Polyergus sanwaldi
Sanwald's Amazon Ant
Polyergus sanwaldi is a dulotic ant species described by Trager in 2013 as part of a global revision of the genus Polyergus. It belongs to the lucidus species group, one of three major groups within the genus. Like all Polyergus species, it is an obligatory social parasite that raids colonies of Formica ants to capture and enslave their brood. The species is named in honor of an individual (Sanwald), following the naming convention for several new species in this revision.
Polyergus topoffi
Topoff's Amazon Ant
Polyergus topoffi is a dulotic (slave-making) ant species described in 2013 as part of a global revision of the genus Polyergus. It belongs to the rufescens group, informally termed the breviceps complex, which comprises American species within this otherwise Palaearctic-centered group. Like all Polyergus species, it is an obligatory social parasite dependent on host colonies of Formica ants for survival, as its workers cannot feed themselves or excavate nests. The species is one of five newly described in the 2013 revision based on morphometric, ecological, host-association, and biogeographic characteristics.
Prenolepis
Winter Ants and Allies
Prenolepis is a genus of ants in the subfamily 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 honey ant, which exhibits unique cold-adapted activity patterns and serves as a model organism for thermal physiology research. Most Prenolepis species are small, ground-nesting ants that inhabit woodland and forest environments.