Slave-making-host

Guides

• Formica subsericea

  silky field ant, black field ant

  Formica subsericea is a medium-sized ant species native to eastern North America, commonly known as the silky field ant or black field ant. Workers are noted for their exceptional speed and timid behavior. The species is frequently enslaved by Polyergus slave-making ants and has been observed serving as a host for inquiline fly larvae. Nuptial flights occur in mid to late summer.

  antFormicidaeslave-making-hosttemperate-foresteastern-North-Americaswimmingsocial-parasitism