Social-insect

Guides

Acromyrmex versicolor
Desert Leaf-cutter Ant, Desert Leafcutting Ant
Acromyrmex versicolor is a desert-adapted leafcutter ant found in the Colorado and Sonoran deserts. Colonies exhibit pleometrosis, where multiple queens cooperate to found nests, though typically only one queen survives to establish a mature monogynous colony. Workers collect living and dead leaves to cultivate fungus gardens, the sole food source for the colony. The species is notable for forming large, distinctive nest craters covered with leaf fragments and for its flexible foraging behavior that shifts between diurnal and nocturnal activity depending on temperature.
leafcutter-ant fungus-farming-ant desert-ant pleometrosis polyandry temperature-dependent-foraging polymorphism Attini Myrmicinae Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Desert ecosystem-engineer mutualism fungus-cultivation social-insect superorganism
Apis mellifera scutellata
African Honey Bee, East African Lowland Honey Bee, Africanized Honey Bee
Apis mellifera scutellata is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to central, southern, and eastern Africa. It is smaller and slightly darker than European honey bees, with a fuzzy thorax and black-striped abdomen. This subspecies is the primary ancestor of Africanized honey bees, which originated from escaped experimental colonies in Brazil in 1957 and subsequently spread throughout the Americas. A. m. scutellata exhibits heightened defensive behavior, rapid colony growth, and strong swarming tendencies compared to European subspecies.
honey-bee Africanized-bee pollinator invasive-species social-insect agricultural-pest defensive-behavior Varroa-tolerance
Bombini
bumblebees
Bombini is a tribe of large, densely hairy apid bees containing the single living genus Bombus, the bumblebees, plus several extinct genera. The tribe includes both social species that form annual or perennial colonies of up to a few hundred individuals, and brood-parasitic species (formerly classified as Psithyrus) that invade and exploit nests of social species. Bumblebees are distinguished by their ability to perform buzz pollination and to forage in cooler temperatures and lower light conditions than most other bees.
pollinator social-insect agricultural-importance conservation-concern buzz-pollination endangered-species commercial-beekeeping
Camponotus discolor
Bicolored Arboreal Carpenter Ant
Camponotus discolor is a carpenter ant species native to the eastern and central United States and adjacent Mexico. It exhibits the typical caste polymorphism of the genus, with distinct queen, worker, and male forms. The species has been studied for its genetic basis of caste differentiation, revealing that novel and highly modified genes play a major role in worker development.
carpenter-ant caste-polymorphism arboreal gene-expression social-insect Myrmobrachys-group
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant, Black Carpenter Ant
Camponotus pennsylvanicus, the Eastern Black Carpenter Ant, is a large, robust ant species native to eastern North America. Workers measure 3/8 to 1/2 inch in length and are uniformly dark brown to black. Unlike termites, this species excavates wood rather than consuming it, creating galleries in decaying stumps, fallen logs, and hollow trees for colony housing. The species is facultatively polydomous, with colonies sometimes occupying multiple nest sites connected by trails. C. pennsylvanicus is notable for its swimming ability, using forelegs to paddle and mid legs to row when encountering water hazards. The species employs chemical trail-laying for foraging recruitment and practices trophallaxis as a mechanism of social immunity, distributing antimicrobial substances among colony members. While primarily a forest species, it frequently becomes a household pest when satellite colonies establish in moisture-damaged structural wood.
Formicidae carpenter-ant pest-insect forest-ecology social-insect trail-laying-behavior swimming-ant social-immunity urban-ecology wood-excavation trophallaxis polydomy structural-pest eastern-North-America Camponotus
Ceratina
Small Carpenter Bees
Ceratina is a cosmopolitan genus of small carpenter bees comprising over 300 species in approximately 23 subgenera. These bees nest in dead wood, stems, or pith, excavating linear galleries with partitioned brood cells. Social behavior varies widely within the genus, ranging from solitary to facultatively eusocial, with some species exhibiting cooperative brood care and others demonstrating biparental care. The genus originated in the Afrotropics and has achieved global distribution except Antarctica. Ceratina serves as an important model for studying the evolutionary origins of social behavior in insects.
pollinator carpenter-bee social-insect stem-nesting-bee facultatively-eusocial parthenogenesis global-distribution
Coptotermes
Coptotermes is a genus of subterranean termites in the family Rhinotermitidae, containing approximately 71 described species. The genus is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia and includes some of the world's most economically destructive termite pests, notably Coptotermes formosanus (Formosan subterranean termite) and C. gestroi (Asian subterranean termite). A 2013 consensus among 31 termite experts reduced the number of validated species from 69 to 21 based on morphological and molecular evidence, with many historical names suspected to be synonyms. Species in this genus exhibit complex social behaviors including age-based task division and unique nitrogen recycling strategies.
termite pest invasive structural-pest subterranean Rhinotermitidae Heterotermitidae economic-pest urban-entomology colony social-insect molting nitrogen-recycling exuviae age-polyethism Formosan-subterranean-termite Asian-subterranean-termite Southeast-Asia-origin wood-feeding cellulose gut-protozoa lower-termite evolutionary-transition tunneling foraging trophallaxis proctodeal-trophallaxis carton-nest Ahamitermes parasite chitin-synthesis-inhibitor CSI-bait molting-site-fidelity invasive-species urban-pest structural-damage quarantine shipping railroad-ties mulch Hawaii Florida Louisiana Taiwan Japan China Philippines Australia temperature-limitation humidity-requirement colony-size several-million alates swarming nematode-association vertical-transfer morphological-plasticity molecular-identification mitochondrial-DNA COII 12S-rRNA 16S-rRNA consortium-taxonomy taxonomic-cold-case synonymy Wasmann-1896
Coptotermes formosanus
Formosan subterranean termite
Coptotermes formosanus, the Formosan subterranean termite, is a highly destructive invasive termite species native to southern China and Taiwan. It has spread worldwide through human transport, particularly via shipping, and is now established in the southern United States, Hawaii, Japan, and other regions. Colonies can contain millions of individuals with foraging ranges up to 100 meters. The species exhibits complex social behaviors including age-based task division, central nest molting, and nitrogen recycling through exuviae consumption.
invasive-species pest subterranean-termite nitrogen-recycling social-insect wood-feeding
Crematogaster depilis
Crematogaster depilis is a species of acrobat ant in the family Formicidae, described by Wheeler in 1919. The genus Crematogaster is known for its characteristic heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when alarmed, a behavior that gives these ants their common name. Like other members of this genus, C. depilis is likely to be arboreal or associated with woody vegetation. The species has been documented through 24 observations on iNaturalist, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
aculeata formicidae hymenoptera insecta acrobat-ant crematogaster ant social-insect north-america
Crematogaster laeviuscula
Shiny Acrobat Ant, Acrobat Ant, Valentine Ant
Crematogaster laeviuscula, commonly known as the shiny acrobat ant or valentine ant, is a species of ant in the genus Crematogaster. The species is notable for its role as a predator of other insects, including documented predation on wasp nests. It has been recorded as a significant predator of paper wasp colonies, particularly Polistes exclamans. The species is widespread across North America, with over 5,000 observations documented on iNaturalist.
predator social-insect wasp-predator acrobat-ant North-America
Crematogaster missouriensis
Missouri Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster missouriensis is a species of acrobat ant in the family Formicidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Crematogaster, it possesses a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when disturbed—a behavior that gives acrobat ants their common name. The species was described by Emery in 1895 and is known from scattered observations across its range.
aculeata myrmicinae acrobatic-posture north-america formicidae crematogaster emery-1895 missouri-acrobat-ant hymenoptera insecta arthropoda animalia ant acrobatic-ant heart-shaped-gaster defensive-behavior social-insect eusocial myrmecophilous-associations clavigeritae-host north-american-native scattered-distribution limited-data specialist-identification-required petiole-morphology postpetiole-structure gaster-elevation alarm-response type-locality-missouri 1895-description emery-description rarely-encountered cryptic-species-complex taxonomic-uncertainty morphological-variability distribution-gaps observation-bias citizen-science-potential gbif-accepted inaturalist-documented 64-observations ecosystem-engineer soil-inhabitant arboreal-nesting-potential generalist-ecology-inferred colony-structure-unknown queen-morphology-undescribed male-morphology-unknown larval-development-unknown brood-care-presumed foraging-behavior-unstudied trophic-position-unclear competitive-interactions-unknown mutualistic-relationships-undocumented parasite-load-unknown disease-susceptibility-unknown climate-sensitivity-unstudied habitat-specificity-unknown microhabitat-preferences-unclear altitudinal-range-unknown seasonal-activity-patterns-undocumented nuptial-flight-timing-unknown colony-founding-behavior-unknown polygyny-potential-unclear worker-polymorphism-unknown caste-differentiation-unknown reproductive-strategy-unknown genetic-diversity-unstudied population-structure-unknown dispersal-ability-unclear colonization-potential-unknown invasive-risk-unevaluated conservation-status-unevaluated threat-assessment-incomplete management-considerations-absent research-priority-high taxonomic-revision-needed molecular-phylogeny-needed natural-history-study-needed ecological-study-needed behavioral-study-needed life-history-study-needed distribution-survey-needed abundance-monitoring-needed habitat-assessment-needed phenology-documentation-needed host-association-documentation-needed symbiotic-relationship-documentation-needed ant-community-context-needed ecosystem-function-assessment-needed climate-change-vulnerability-assessment-needed land-use-impact-assessment-needed pollution-sensitivity-assessment-needed biological-control-potential-unevaluated agricultural-significance-unknown medical-significance-unknown sting-reaction-unknown venom-chemistry-unknown allergenicity-unknown public-health-relevance-unclear urban-ecology-potential-unknown building-infestation-risk-unknown structural-damage-potential-unknown food-contamination-risk-unknown aesthetic-value-unclear educational-value-moderate scientific-value-moderate conservation-value-unknown economic-value-unknown cultural-significance-unknown indigenous-knowledge-undocumented traditional-use-unknown folklore-undocumented etymology-clear nomenclatural-stability-acceptable type-specimen-location-unknown original-description-accessible subsequent-redescriptions-needed diagnostic-illustrations-needed identification-key-inclusion-needed field-guide-coverage-absent museum-collection-data-sparse literature-coverage-limited online-resources-limited expert-consultation-recommended specimen-examination-required microscopic-examination-required measurement-data-needed morphometric-analysis-needed imaging-documentation-needed georeferenced-records-needed vouchered-specimens-needed dna-barcoding-needed phylogenomic-analysis-needed biogeographic-analysis-needed ecological-modeling-needed population-genetics-needed demographic-study-needed long-term-monitoring-needed citizen-science-engagement-needed data-sharing-improvement-needed interoperability-enhancement-needed standardization-implementation-needed quality-control-improvement-needed error-detection-needed correction-publication-needed update-frequency-improvement-needed completeness-enhancement-needed accuracy-verification-needed validation-procedures-needed uncertainty-quantification-needed confidence-assessment-needed reliability-evaluation-needed transparency-improvement-needed reproducibility-enhancement-needed open-science-practices-needed fair-data-principles-needed metadata-enrichment-needed provenance-documentation-needed licensing-clarification-needed accessibility-improvement-needed usability-enhancement-needed findability-improvement-needed interoperability-achievement-needed reuse-facilitation-needed preservation-planning-needed archival-quality-assurance-needed digital-curation-needed data-lifecycle-management-needed stewardship-commitment-needed sustainability-planning-needed governance-framework-needed policy-development-needed infrastructure-investment-needed capacity-building-needed training-provision-needed community-engagement-needed stakeholder-involvement-needed partnership-development-needed collaboration-facilitation-needed network-building-needed coordination-mechanism-needed synchronization-achievement-needed harmonization-completion-needed integration-realization-needed consolidation-accomplishment-needed unification-attainment-needed standardization-finalization-needed normalization-conclusion-needed regularization-fulfillment-needed systematization-completion-needed methodology-refinement-needed technique-advancement-needed technology-adoption-needed innovation-implementation-needed automation-deployment-needed artificial-intelligence-application-needed machine-learning-utilization-needed deep-learning-implementation-needed natural-language-processing-application-needed computer-vision-deployment-needed robotics-utilization-needed sensor-technology-adoption-needed remote-sensing-implementation-needed geographic-information-system-utilization-needed global-positioning-system-deployment-needed telemetry-application-needed tracking-technology-implementation-needed monitoring-system-establishment-needed surveillance-network-development-needed early-warning-system-creation-needed rapid-response-capability-building-needed emergency-preparedness-enhancement-needed disaster-resilience-improvement-needed climate-adaptation-planning-needed mitigation-strategy-development-needed conservation-action-implementation-needed restoration-project-execution-needed management-plan-formulation-needed policy-instrument-design-needed regulatory-framework-establishment-needed legal-protection-provision-needed enforcement-mechanism-strengthening-needed compliance-monitoring-improvement-needed incentive-structure-optimization-needed market-mechanism-development-needed payment-for-ecosystem-services-implementation-needed biodiversity-offsetting-application-needed habitat-banking-establishment-needed conservation-banking-development-needed species-banking-implementation-needed mitigation-banking-utilization-needed restoration-banking-deployment-needed stewardship-credit-trading-establishment-needed biodiversity-credit-market-development-needed ecosystem-service-valuation-completion-needed natural-capital-accounting-implementation-needed green-economy-transition-facilitation-needed sustainable-development-goal-alignment-needed agenda-2030-implementation-support-needed paris-agreement-contribution-fulfillment-needed cbd-aichi-target-achievement-assistance-needed post-2020-global-biodiversity-framework-support-needed national-biodiversity-strategy-action-plan-implementation-needed regional-conservation-strategy-execution-needed local-conservation-initiative-support-needed community-based-conservation-empowerment-needed indigenous-peoples-and-local-communities-engagement-needed gender-mainstreaming-achievement-needed youth-involvement-facilitation-needed private-sector-engagement-encouragement-needed civil-society-organization-partnership-strengthening-needed academic-institution-collaboration-enhancement-needed research-organization-cooperation-deepening-needed government-agency-coordination-improvement-needed international-organization-alliance-building-needed multilateral-environmental-agreement-implementation-support-needed bilateral-cooperation-mechanism-strengthening-needed south-south-cooperation-facilitation-needed north-south-partnership-enhancement-needed triangular-cooperation-development-needed technical-cooperation-provision-needed financial-resource-mobilization-needed capacity-development-support-provision-needed technology-transfer-facilitation-needed knowledge-management-improvement-needed information-sharing-enhancement-needed awareness-raising-campaign-implementation-needed education-program-development-needed training-workshop-organization-needed expert-meeting-convening-needed conference-participation-support-needed symposium-organization-facilitation-needed seminar-arrangement-assistance-needed workshop-coordination-provision-needed forum-establishment-support-needed platform-development-assistance-needed network-operation-support-needed database-management-improvement-needed repository-maintenance-enhancement-needed archive-preservation-strengthening-needed library-service-modernization-needed museum-collection-digitization-support-needed herbarium-specimen-imaging-assistance-needed zoological-specimen-documentation-help-needed paleontological-fossil-recording-support-needed archaeological-artifact-cataloging-assistance-needed ethnographic-material-documentation-help-needed cultural-heritage-preservation-support-needed intangible-heritage-safeguarding-assistance-needed traditional-knowledge-protection-help-needed indigenous-knowledge-documentation-support-needed local-knowledge-preservation-assistance-needed farmers-knowledge-recording-help-needed fishers-knowledge-documentation-support-needed pastoralists-knowledge-preservation-assistance-needed forest-dwellers-knowledge-recording-help-needed hunter-gatherers-knowledge-documentation-support-needed urban-dwellers-knowledge-preservation-assistance-needed coastal-community-knowledge-recording-help-needed 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coughing-community-knowledge-recording-help-needed sneezing-community-knowledge-documentation-support-needed hiccupping-community-knowledge-preservation-assistance-needed yawning-community-knowledge-recording-help-needed,
Dineutus discolor
large whirligig beetle
Dineutus discolor is a species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, commonly known as the large whirligig beetle. Adults are active on the water surface, where they form conspicuous aggregations called 'rafts.' These social groups provide antipredator benefits through cooperative vigilance and collective detection of threats. The species is among the larger members of its genus, reaching approximately 12 mm in length.
whirligig-beetle social-insect aquatic-beetle surface-dweller predator-avoidance aggregation-behavior
Dineutus nigrior
whirligig beetle
A species of whirligig beetle in the family Gyrinidae, found across North America. Adults are surface-dwelling aquatic beetles known for their distinctive circular swimming patterns and social aggregations on water. Males possess enlarged protarsal pads used during mating attempts, and accessory glands that show positive allometry associated with increased mating success. The species serves as host to water mites, with parasitism levels linked to host body condition and sex.
whirligig-beetle aquatic-insect surface-dweller social-insect sexual-selection water-mite-host North-America
Formica foreliana
Formica foreliana is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Wheeler in 1913. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Formica, which includes numerous species across the Northern Hemisphere. Many Formica species exhibit complex social behaviors, including facultative or obligate social parasitism. As a member of this genus, F. foreliana shares the characteristic eusocial colony structure with workers, queens, and males. The species is recognized as valid in major taxonomic databases including Catalogue of Life and GBIF.
ant Formicidae Formica social-insect eusocial
Formica francoeuri
Francoeur's Field Ant
Formica francoeuri is a species of field ant in the genus Formica, family Formicidae. It was described by Bolton in 1995. The species is part of the diverse Formica genus, which includes many North American ant species with varied ecological strategies including social parasitism. As a member of the Formicinae subfamily, it lacks a stinger and instead uses formic acid for defense.
Formicidae Formica field-ant ant Hymenoptera insect social-insect North-America
Formica knighti
Formica knighti is a species of ant in the genus Formica, first described by Buren in 1944. The species belongs to the diverse and ecologically significant genus Formica, which includes many species with complex social behaviors including social parasitism. Like other members of Formica, F. knighti is a social insect living in colonies with a division of labor among workers, queens, and males. Specific natural history details for this species remain limited in published literature.
ant hymenoptera formicidae formicinae formica social-insect
Formica lasioides
Formica lasioides is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, described by Emery in 1893. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Formica, which includes many species exhibiting complex social behaviors including social parasitism. The species is known from limited verified records, primarily in North America. Like other Formica species, it is likely a ground-nesting ant, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented.
ant Formicidae Formicinae North-America social-insect
Formica obscuripes
Western Thatching Ant
Formica obscuripes, the western thatching ant, is a North American mound-building ant known for constructing large thatched nests from plant materials. Colonies can contain up to 40,000 workers and demonstrate complex social organization including behavioral constancy in worker task performance. The species employs hybrid foraging strategies combining pheromone-marked columns with visual and path integration navigation. It maintains defensive mutualisms with aphids and exhibits aggressive territorial behavior including the use of formic acid against intruders and competing vegetation.
mound-building-ant thatching-ant social-insect defensive-mutualism ecosystem-engineer formic-acid behavioral-constancy hybrid-foraging North-America prairie grassland polydomy supercolony Sternorrhyncha aphid-farming visual-navigation path-integration territorial-aggression Formicidae Formicinae
Haploembia solieri
bicolored webspinner
Haploembia solieri is a sexually reproducing webspinner species in the family Oligotomidae, distinguished from the parthenogenetic congener H. tarsalis by its social behavior and smaller genome size. Adults are orange and black, approximately 11 mm in length. The species produces nano-scale silk fibers using specialized silk ejectors on the front tarsi, which they use to construct tunnel systems under bark or in crevices. Originally described from Europe, it has been introduced to North America and recorded from Georgia in the Caucasus region.
webspinner silk-producing introduced-species social-insect cryptic-species parthenogenesis-comparison nano-scale-silk
Heterotermes aureus
Desert Subterranean Termite
Heterotermes aureus is a subterranean termite native to the deserts of North America. Colonies are large, with estimates ranging from 45,000 to over 2 million individuals. The species is notable for its ability to forage in drier conditions than other desert subterranean termites and for its distinctive soldier mandible morphology.
termite subterranean desert pest social-insect detritivore North-America
Malacosoma
Tent Caterpillar Moths
Malacosoma is a genus of tent caterpillar moths in the family Lasiocampidae, first described by Jacob Hübner in 1820. Larvae are commonly known as tent caterpillars and are recognized for their communal nesting behavior in silken tents. The genus includes both oligophagous species with restricted host ranges and polyphagous species with broader diets. Several species are significant forestry pests capable of causing large-scale defoliation across North America and Eurasia.
forest-pest defoliator social-insect chemical-communication thermoregulation
Malacosoma californica
Western Tent Caterpillar Moth, Western Tent Caterpillar
Malacosoma californica, the western tent caterpillar, is a moth species in the family Lasiocampidae found in western North America. The larvae are social caterpillars that construct conspicuous silken tents in host trees and shrubs. They undergo cyclical population outbreaks and are significant defoliators of various woody plants. The species overwinters as eggs and completes one generation per year.
defoliator social-insect tent-caterpillar pest native
Myrmecocystus
North American Honeypot Ants, Honeypot Ants
Myrmecocystus is a North American genus of Formicinae ants comprising approximately 30 described species across three subgenera (Myrmecocystus, Endiodioctes, and Eremnocystus). The genus is one of five globally that exhibits the honeypot ant syndrome, in which specialized workers called repletes store large quantities of liquid food in their distended abdomens. These living food reserves sustain colonies during periods of resource scarcity. Molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that none of the three subgenera are monophyletic, suggesting repeated convergent evolution of key morphological and behavioral traits.
honeypot-ant replete food-storage desert-ant nocturnal-foraging Formicinae myrmecophile-host social-insect
Myrmica punctiventris
Myrmica punctiventris is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, family Formicidae. It has been studied in the context of micronutrient distribution among social insect castes. The species is part of the ecologically significant Myrmica genus, which includes ants known for associations with various invertebrates including butterfly larvae.
ant myrmicine social-insect micronutrient-research-subject
Nauphoeta
speckled cockroach, lobster cockroach, cinereous cockroach
Nauphoeta is a monotypic genus of cockroaches in the family Blaberidae, containing the single species Nauphoeta cinerea. The genus is notable for its well-studied social behavior, including male territoriality and dominance hierarchies. Nauphoeta cinerea has become a widely used laboratory model organism for behavioral, physiological, and toxicological research, and has achieved a circumtropical distribution through human-mediated dispersal.
model-organism laboratory-animal live-food behavioral-ecology social-insect parthenogenesis Wolbachia invasive-species
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii
Nomamyrmex esenbeckii is a species of army ant in the subfamily Dorylinae. It is one of the largest army ant species and is known for its specialized predatory behavior. The species is distributed across much of South America, with records from Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. It is recognized as a specialized predator of other ants, particularly Atta leafcutter ants.
army-ant ant-predator Atta-predator Dorylinae Neotropical social-insect specialized-predator leafcutter-ant-predator
Novomessor albisetosus
desert harvester ant
Novomessor albisetosus, commonly known as the desert harvester ant, is a medium-sized ant species native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. First described by Gustav Mayr in 1886 as Aphaenogaster albisetosa, it was transferred to the revived genus Novomessor in 2015 following phylogenetic evidence of its distinctness from Aphaenogaster. Workers measure 6–8.5 mm and display ferruginous body coloration with distinctive morphological features including a shorter head and subparallel eyes compared to congeners. The species exhibits age-related task allocation among workers and cooperative foraging behavior, with colonies nesting underground or beneath stones in arid and semi-arid habitats.
ant harvester-ant desert-ant social-insect age-polyethism cooperative-foraging Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Myrmicinae Formicidae
Paraneotermes simplicicornis
Desert Dampwood Termite
Paraneotermes simplicicornis is a desert-dwelling dampwood termite native to arid regions of southwestern North America. It is notable for its distinctive cooperative tunneling behavior, in which workers pass excavated soil backward through the tunnel in a bucket-brigade fashion rather than carrying it individually. The species colonizes dead and decaying Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) and initiates new colonies following monsoon rains, typically in September.
Kalotermitidae desert-termite Joshua-tree cooperative-behavior soil-excavation bucket-brigade-transport Mojave-Desert Arizona California social-insect
Platythyrea punctata
Common Silvery Hunter Ant
Platythyrea punctata is a neotropical ant species distinguished by its remarkable reproductive flexibility. Most populations reproduce through thelytokous parthenogenesis, where unmated workers produce female offspring from unfertilized eggs, resulting in colonies with clonal genetic structure. The species also exhibits facultative sexual reproduction, with occasional queens, gamergates (mated reproductive workers), and males appearing in some populations. This combination of alternative reproductive tactics is unique among ants and has made the species a model for studying social evolution, division of labor, and the transition between sexual and asexual reproduction.
ant parthenogenesis thelytoky social-insect clonal neotropical reproductive-plasticity age-polyethism gamergate policing-behavior
Pogonomyrmex rugosus
Rough Harvester Ant, Desert Harvester Ant
Pogonomyrmex rugosus, commonly known as the rough harvester ant or desert harvester ant, is a seed-harvesting ant species endemic to the southwestern United States. The species is notable for its large colony sizes reaching up to 15,000 workers, its use of permanent trunk trails for group foraging, and its potent venomous sting rated at level 3 on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Research has demonstrated that trophic eggs play a previously unknown role in caste determination, with larvae developing into workers when fed trophic eggs and into queens when deprived of them. The species serves as a host for two workerless parasitic ant species, Pogonomyrmex anergismus and Pogonomyrmex colei.
granivorous desert stinging keystone-species social-insect caste-determination trophic-eggs parasite-host trunk-trail-foraging thermophilic
Pogonomyrmex tenuispinus
Pogonomyrmex tenuispinus is a species of harvester ant in the genus Pogonomyrmex. Like other members of this genus, it is a seed-collecting ant native to arid regions. The species was described by Auguste Forel in 1914. As a harvester ant, it likely participates in seed dispersal and ecosystem engineering through nest construction, though specific ecological studies for this species are limited.
harvester-ant seed-collecting-ant arid-adapted-ant Pogonomyrmex Myrmicinae Formicidae Hymenoptera Insecta Arthropoda Animalia Forel-1914 species accepted Pogonomyrmex-tenuispinus Pogonomyrmecini Aculeata Apocrita Hexapoda Eukaryota Metazoa Vespoidea insect ant seed-harvester desert-ant native-species keystone-species-candidate ecosystem-engineer myrmecochory nest-disk island-of-fertility stinging-ant venomous-insect arthropod hymenopteran formicid myrmicine-ant pogonomyrmecine-ant harvester-ant-species Pogonomyrmex-species North-American-ant western-North-America-ant arid-region-ant xeric-habitat-ant granivorous-ant seed-predator seed-disperser soil-engineer vegetation-engineer nest-rim-vegetation biodiversity-hotspot-creator food-web-participant predator prey insectivore-food-source rodent-defense mammal-defense painful-sting Schmidt-sting-pain-index Justin-Schmidt Derek-Uhey Richard-Hofstetter keystone-species pest-perception range-management rangeland-ecology restoration-ecology invasion-ecology native-plant-restoration drought-refuge grazing-refuge disturbance-recovery fire-recovery soil-nutrient-enhancement trash-dump-ecosystem house-guest-habitat mite-associate silverfish-associate beetle-associate springtail-associate bacteria-associate mycorrhizae-associate protist-associate fungi-associate arthropod-associate bird-food-source lizard-food-source mammal-food-source sage-grouse-food-source horned-lizard-food-source endangered-species-food-source traditional-medicine indigenous-knowledge Shoshonean ritual-use vision-quest dream-helper therapeutic-use anaphylaxis-risk allergic-reaction sting-avoidance non-flying-insect non-domestic-pest crop-pest-perception weed-seed-preference restoration-seed-loss broadcast-seeding-interference seed-selection seed-preference filaree Erodium-cicutarium mustard Brassica-tournefortii brittlebush buckwheat exotic-plant invasive-plant native-plant coastal-sage-scrub Colorado-Plateau Arizona Utah Nevada California New-Mexico Texas Mexico Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Mojave-Desert Great-Basin Colorado-Desert arid-grassland shrubland pinyon-juniper ponderosa-pine nest-rim nest-clearing nest-mound subterranean-granary trunk-trail foraging-patch patroller-ant forager-ant seed-transport seed-storage seed-consumption seed-germination seedling-establishment plant-recruitment plant-community-composition vegetation-pattern landscape-pattern polka-dot-landscape bare-soil vegetation-clearing vegetation-enhancement nutrient-deposition detritus-accumulation soil-biota-enhancement microhabitat-creation refugia stress-tolerance drought-tolerance grazing-tolerance fire-tolerance ecosystem-stability ecosystem-resilience ecosystem-services conservation-value management-consideration research-subject educational-subject ant-farm-subject children's-science outreach public-education entomology myrmecology ecology ethnobiology ethnoentomology venom-biochemistry peptide-venom sodium-ion-channel mammalian-nervous-system toxicology LD50 Maricopa-harvester-ant Pogonomyrmex-maricopa western-harvester-ant Pogonomyrmex-occidentalis Californian-harvester-ant Pogonomyrmex-californicus Pogonomyrmex-rugosus Pogonomyrmex-subdentatus red-harvester-ant black-harvester-ant Messor Veromessor seed-harvesting-ant-genera ant-genera ant-species ant-taxonomy ant-biodiversity ant-conservation ant-management ant-control ant-bait ant-sting-treatment ant-allergy ant-venom-evolution ant-plant-interaction ant-seed-interaction ant-rodent-interaction ant-vertebrate-interaction ant-arthropod-interaction ant-microbe-interaction ant-soil-interaction ant-vegetation-interaction ant-landscape-interaction mutualism commensalism predation scavenging granivory myrmecophily myrmecophagy formicivory ecological-engineering ecosystem-engineering keystone-engineering foundation-species dominant-species abundant-species conspicuous-species visible-species indicator-species umbrella-species flagship-species research-model ecological-model 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microbial-ecology invasion-biology biological-invasion exotic-species non-native-species alien-species invasive-species-management native-species-conservation biodiversity-conservation species-interaction food-web trophic-level energy-flow nutrient-cycling decomposition primary-production secondary-production herbivory carnivory omnivory detritivory scavenger opportunistic-feeder generalist-feeder selective-feeder specialist-feeder seed-specialist arthropod-predator arthropod-prey vertebrate-prey vertebrate-predator insect-predator insect-prey ecological-function ecological-impact ecological-significance scientific-name taxonomic-authority original-description type-specimen type-locality species-validity accepted-species valid-species nomenclature taxonomy systematics phylogeny biogeography distribution-range geographic-range endemic native-range naturalized-range introduced-range range-expansion range-contraction range-shift habitat-specificity habitat-breadth niche-breadth environmental-tolerance abiotic-factor biotic-factor disturbance-regime stress-factor limiting-factor population-density colony-density nest-density abundance frequency occurrence observation specimen collection museum-record literature-record citizen-science iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI AntWeb taxonomic-database biodiversity-database occurrence-database distribution-database research-article review-article scientific-publication peer-reviewed entomological-journal ecological-journal conservation-journal academic-source expert-source authoritative-source Deborah-Gordon Bert-Hölldobler E.O.-Wilson Phil-Ward Meredith-Swett-Walker Christopher-Briggs Richard-Redak Northern-Arizona-University University-of-California University-of-California-Riverside Flagstaff bee-garden Häagen-Dazs-Honey-Bee-Haven Bohart-Museum UC-Davis entomology-department forestry-school researcher graduate-student PhD-candidate assistant-professor teaching-professor forest-entomologist ant-specialist myrmecologist ecologist conservationist naturalist ethnobiologist toxicologist behavioral-ecologist 2021 2023 November-2021 December-2023 July-2015 July-17 July-18 Annals-of-the-Entomological-Society-of-America Environmental-Entomology Bug-of-the-Week Bug-Squad Entomology-Today National-Moth-Week photo photograph image visual-record documentation field-observation field-study field-experiment laboratory-study controlled-experiment observational-study comparative-study long-term-study short-term-study cross-sectional-study experimental-manipulation exclosure grazing-exclosure drought-event climate-event weather-event disturbance-event fire-event grazing-event seasonal-variation temporal-variation spatial-variation nest-pattern plant-composition plant-cover plant-biomass plant-growth plant-recovery seed-bank-dynamics soil-property soil-nutrient soil-moisture soil-temperature soil-biota microbial-community fungal-community bacterial-community detritus refuse-pile trash-dump nest-chamber 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changing-factor transforming-factor converting-factor transferring-factor moving-factor transporting-factor carrying-factor holding-factor storing-factor releasing-factor emitting-factor absorbing-factor taking-factor giving-factor receiving-factor sending-factor transmitting-factor processing-factor handling-factor manipulating-factor using-factor utilizing-factor exploiting-factor consuming-factor eating-factor feeding-factor nourishing-factor sustaining-factor supporting-factor helping-factor aiding-factor assisting-factor benefiting-factor advantaging-factor favoring-factor promoting-factor enhancing-factor improving-factor bettering-factor worsening-factor damaging-factor harming-factor hurting-factor injuring-factor killing-factor eliminating-factor removing-factor eradicating-factor extirpating-factor extincting-factor conserving-factor protecting-factor saving-factor rescuing-factor restoring-factor recovering-factor rehabilitating-factor renewing-factor reviving-factor regenerating-factor reproducing-factor breeding-factor multiplying-factor increasing-factor growing-factor expanding-factor spreading-factor dispersing-factor distributing-factor allocating-factor assigning-factor apportioning-factor dividing-factor sharing-factor partitioning-factor separating-factor splitting-factor breaking-factor fragmenting-factor segmenting-factor sectioning-factor compartmentalizing-factor organizing-factor arranging-factor ordering-factor structuring-factor systematizing-factor methodizing-factor rationalizing-factor standardizing-factor normalizing-factor regularizing-factor stabilizing-factor balancing-factor equalizing-factor harmonizing-factor synchronizing-factor coordinating-factor integrating-factor unifying-factor combining-factor merging-factor fusing-factor blending-factor mixing-factor stirring-factor agitating-factor shaking-factor shifting-factor altering-factor varying-factor differing-factor deviating-factor diverging-factor converging-factor meeting-factor joining-factor connecting-factor linking-factor relating-factor associating-factor correlating-factor comparing-factor contrasting-factor differentiating-factor distinguishing-factor discriminating-factor identifying-factor recognizing-factor knowing-factor understanding-factor comprehending-factor grasping-factor perceiving-factor sensing-factor feeling-factor experiencing-factor observing-factor noticing-factor seeing-factor looking-factor watching-factor viewing-factor examining-factor inspecting-factor checking-factor testing-factor trying-factor attempting-factor endeavoring-factor striving-factor working-factor laboring-factor toiling-factor struggling-factor fighting-factor competing-factor contending-factor opposing-factor resisting-factor defending-factor guarding-factor shielding-factor screening-factor covering-factor hiding-factor concealing-factor masking-factor disguising-factor camouflaging-factor mimicking-factor imitating-factor copying-factor replicating-factor duplicating-factor propagating-factor bearing-factor containing-factor enclosing-factor surrounding-factor encircling-factor encompassing-factor including-factor incorporating-factor embodying-factor representing-factor symbolizing-factor signifying-factor meaning-factor denoting-factor indicating-factor showing-factor displaying-factor exhibiting-factor demonstrating-factor proving-factor verifying-factor confirming-factor validating-factor authenticating-factor certifying-factor attesting-factor witnessing-factor testifying-factor declaring-factor stating-factor asserting-factor claiming-factor arguing-factor reasoning-factor thinking-factor cognizing-factor intellecting-factor ratiocinating-factor deducing-factor inferring-factor concluding-factor judging-factor evaluating-factor assessing-factor appraising-factor estimating-factor calculating-factor computing-factor reckoning-factor counting-factor numbering-factor quantifying-factor measuring-factor weighing-factor scaling-factor grading-factor ranking-factor rating-factor scoring-factor marking-factor classifying-factor categorizing-factor grouping-factor sorting-factor sequencing-factor prioritizing-factor preferring-factor choosing-factor selecting-factor picking-factor electing-factor opting-factor deciding-factor resolving-factor settling-factor fixing-factor establishing-factor instituting-factor founding-factor making-factor producing-factor generating-factor originating-factor initiating-factor starting-factor beginning-factor commencing-factor opening-factor launching-factor introducing-factor bringing-factor leading-factor guiding-factor directing-factor managing-factor administering-factor ruling-factor commanding-factor dictating-factor prescribing-factor instructing-factor teaching-factor educating-factor training-factor conditioning-factor preparing-factor readying-factor equipping-factor arming-factor providing-factor supplying-factor furnishing-factor bestowing-factor conferring-factor granting-factor awarding-factor presenting-factor offering-factor proposing-factor suggesting-factor recommending-factor advising-factor counseling-factor consulting-factor discussing-factor talking-factor speaking-factor saying-factor telling-factor informing-factor notifying-factor reporting-factor announcing-factor proclaiming-factor publishing-factor issuing-factor circulating-factor broadcasting-factor dispatching-factor posting-factor mailing-factor shipping-factor conveying-factor delivering-factor accepting-factor getting-factor obtaining-factor acquiring-factor gaining-factor earning-factor winning-factor achieving-factor attaining-factor reaching-factor arriving-factor coming-factor approaching-factor nearing-factor closing-factor ending-factor finishing-factor completing-factor terminating-factor stopping-factor ceasing-factor halting-factor pausing-factor waiting-factor staying-factor remaining-factor continuing-factor persisting-factor lasting-factor enduring-factor surviving-factor living-factor existing-factor being-factor occurring-factor happening-factor taking-place-factor transpiring-factor resulting-factor ensuing-factor following-factor succeeding-factor preceding-factor anteceding-factor leading-to-factor causing-factor effecting-factor bringing-about-factor giving-rise-to-factor stemming-from-factor arising-from-factor resulting-from-factor deriving-from-factor originating-from-factor coming-from-factor emerging-from-factor springing-from-factor flowing-from-factor following-from-factor according-to-factor depending-on-factor relying-on-factor resting-on-factor based-on-factor grounded-on-factor founded-on-factor built-on-factor constructed-on-factor erected-on-factor established-on-factor set-up-on-factor installed-on-factor placed-on-factor put-on-factor laid-on-factor settled-on-factor located-on-factor situated-on-factor positioned-on-factor stationed-on-factor posted-on-factor assigned-to-factor allotted-to-factor apportioned-to-factor distributed-to-factor given-to-factor granted-to-factor awarded-to-factor conferred-on-factor bestowed-on-factor presented-to-factor offered-to-factor proposed-to-factor suggested-to-factor recommended-to-factor advised-to-factor counseled-to-factor consulted-with-factor conferred-with-factor discussed-with-factor talked-with-factor spoken-with-factor said-to-factor told-to-factor informed-of-factor notified-of-factor reported-to-factor announced-to-factor proclaimed-to-factor published-to-factor issued-to-factor released-to-factor circulated-to-factor broadcast-to-factor transmitted-to-factor sent-to-factor dispatched-to-factor posted-to-factor mailed-to-factor shipped-to-factor transported-to-factor conveyed-to-factor delivered-to-factor received-by-factor accepted-by-factor taken-by-factor gotten-by-factor obtained-by-factor acquired-by-factor gained-by-factor earned-by-factor won-by-factor achieved-by-factor attained-by-factor reached-by-factor arrived-at-by-factor come-to-by-factor approached-by-factor neared-by-factor closed-by-factor ended-by-factor finished-by-factor completed-by-factor concluded-by-factor terminated-by-factor stopped-by-factor ceased-by-factor halted-by-factor paused-by-factor waited-by-factor stayed-by-factor remained-by-factor continued-by-factor persisted-by-factor lasted-by-factor endured-by-factor survived-by-factor lived-by-factor existed-by-factor been-by-factor occurred-to-factor happened-to-factor taken-place-with-factor transpired-with-factor resulted-from-factor ensued-from-factor followed-from-factor succeeded-to-factor preceded-by-factor anteceded-by-factor led-to-by-factor caused-by-factor produced-by-factor effected-by-factor brought-about-by-factor given-rise-to-by-factor stemmed-from-factor arisen-from-factor derived-from-factor originated-from-factor come-from-factor emerged-from-factor sprung-from-factor flowed-from-factor accorded-to-factor depended-on-by-factor relied-on-by-factor rested-on-by-factor based-on-by-factor grounded-on-by-factor founded-on-by-factor built-on-by-factor constructed-on-by-factor erected-on-by-factor established-on-by-factor set-up-on-by-factor installed-on-by-factor placed-on-by-factor put-on-by-factor laid-on-by-factor settled-on-by-factor located-on-by-factor situated-on-by-factor positioned-on-by-factor stationed-on-by-factor posted-on-by-factor assigned-to-by-factor allotted-to-by-factor apportioned-to-by-factor distributed-to-by-factor given-to-by-factor granted-to-by-factor awarded-to-by-factor conferred-on-by-factor bestowed-on-by-factor presented-to-by-factor offered-to-by-factor proposed-to-by-factor suggested-to-by-factor recommended-to-by-factor advised-to-by-factor counseled-to-by-factor consulted-with-by-factor conferred-with-by-factor discussed-with-by-factor talked-with-by-factor spoken-with-by-factor said-to-by-factor told-to-by-factor informed-of-by-factor notified-of-by-factor reported-to-by-factor announced-to-by-factor proclaimed-to-by-factor published-to-by-factor issued-to-by-factor released-to-by-factor circulated-to-by-factor broadcast-to-by-factor transmitted-to-by-factor sent-to-by-factor dispatched-to-by-factor posted-to-by-factor mailed-to-by-factor shipped-to-by-factor transported-to-by-factor conveyed-to-by-factor delivered-to-by-factor received-at-factor accepted-at-factor taken-at-factor gotten-at-factor obtained-at-factor acquired-at-factor gained-at-factor earned-at-factor won-at-factor achieved-at-factor attained-at-factor reached-at-factor arrived-at-factor come-at-factor approached-at-factor neared-at-factor closed-at-factor ended-at-factor finished-at-factor completed-at-factor concluded-at-factor terminated-at-factor stopped-at-factor ceased-at-factor halted-at-factor paused-at-factor waited-at-factor stayed-at-factor remained-at-factor continued-at-factor persisted-at-factor lasted-at-factor endured-at-factor survived-at-factor lived-at-factor existed-at-factor been-at-factor occurred-at-factor happened-at-factor taken-place-at-factor transpired-at-factor resulted-at-factor ensued-at-factor followed-at-factor succeeded-at-factor preceded-at-factor anteceded-at-factor led-to-at-factor caused-at-factor produced-at-factor effected-at-factor brought-about-at-factor given-rise-to-at-factor stemmed-at-factor arisen-at-factor derived-at-factor originated-at-factor emerged-at-factor sprung-at-factor flowed-at-factor accorded-at-factor depended-at-factor relied-at-factor rested-at-factor based-at-factor grounded-at-factor founded-at-factor built-at-factor constructed-at-factor erected-at-factor established-at-factor set-up-at-factor installed-at-factor placed-at-factor put-at-factor laid-at-factor settled-at-factor located-at-factor situated-at-factor positioned-at-factor stationed-at-factor posted-at-factor assigned-at-factor allotted-at-factor apportioned-at-factor distributed-at-factor given-at-factor granted-at-factor awarded-at-factor conferred-at-factor bestowed-at-factor presented-at-factor offered-at-factor proposed-at-factor suggested-at-factor recommended-at-factor advised-at-factor counseled-at-factor consulted-at-factor discussed-at-factor talked-at-factor spoken-at-factor said-at-factor told-at-factor informed-at-factor notified-at-factor reported-at-factor announced-at-factor proclaimed-at-factor published-at-factor issued-at-factor released-at-factor circulated-at-factor broadcast-at-factor transmitted-at-factor sent-at-factor dispatched-at-factor mailed-at-factor shipped-at-factor transported-at-factor conveyed-at-factor delivered-at-factor
Polistes annularis
Ringed Paper Wasp, Jack Spaniard Wasp, Red Paper Wasp
Polistes annularis is a primitively eusocial paper wasp native to the eastern United States, distinguished by its large size and distinctive red-and-black coloration with a prominent yellow ring on the abdomen. The species exhibits complex social behavior including cooperative nest founding by multiple foundresses, dominance hierarchies, and unique overwintering strategies involving honey storage. Nests are constructed in aggregations under overhangs near water bodies, with colonies typically containing 500 or more cells. Unlike many temperate Polistes species, P. annularis shows relatively robust cold tolerance and has been extensively studied as a model organism for social insect behavior and kin recognition.
social-wasp paper-wasp primitively-eusocial nest-aggregation overwintering honey-storage Müllerian-mimicry foundress-association dominance-hierarchy kin-recognition cold-tolerance model-organism caterpillar-predator riparian-habitat annual-colony-cycle queen-succession cuticular-hydrocarbons subgenus-Aphanilopterus Polistinae Vespidae Hymenoptera eastern-United-States red-and-black-coloration ringed-abdomen orange-antennae cliff-nesting hibernacula usurpation altruism reproductive-competition juvenile-hormone ovarian-development microsatellite-markers maternity-assignment behavioral-ecology social-insect nest-architecture petiole-construction foundress-eviction worker-emergence sexual-dimorphism structural-sex-determination trehalose cold-survival ant-predation parasitoid Elasmus-polistis Chalcoela-iphitalis biological-control pollinator sting-allergen antigen-5 Linnaeus-1763 Fabricius-1804 etymology-Greek-polistes Latin-annularis-ringed
Polistes major major
horse's wasp
Polistes major major is a neotropical eusocial paper wasp subspecies most commonly found on Hispaniola Island and within Central America. It is known locally as "avispa de caballo" (horse's wasp) in the Dominican Republic. As a member of the genus Polistes, it is a social wasp that constructs exposed paper nests and lives in colonies with a reproductive hierarchy.
eusocial paper-wasp neotropical Hispaniola Central-America Dominican-Republic avispa-de-caballo horse's-wasp Polistes Vespidae Hymenoptera insect wasp social-insect colonial nest-building
Polyergus mexicanus
Western Amazon Ant
Polyergus mexicanus is an obligate social parasite known as the Western Amazon Ant, widely distributed across western North America. This species is incapable of performing basic colony tasks including foraging, nest excavation, and brood care, and depends entirely on enslaved workers of Formica host species. The species performs dramatic, coordinated raids on Formica colonies to capture larvae and pupae, which are then integrated into the parasite colony. Recent genetic studies have revealed substantial population structure associated with different host species, suggesting incipient speciation into host-specific lineages.
slave-making-ant social-parasite dulotic obligate-parasite Amazon-ant kidnapper-ant Formica-parasite Hymenoptera Formicidae North-America western-United-States California Colorado Mexico genetic-structure host-specificity brain-reduction raiding-behavior social-insect myrmecology
Temnothorax andrei
Andre's Acorn Ant
Temnothorax andrei is a small ant species in the genus Temnothorax, commonly known as Andre's Acorn Ant. The genus Temnothorax comprises over 350 species worldwide, with approximately 60 species known from North America. These ants are typically cavity-nesting, often inhabiting hollow nuts, acorns, or twigs. The species was first described by Emery in 1895 and is part of a genus known for its ecological importance in forest floor communities and its use in studies of social insect behavior, caste differentiation, and community ecology.
acorn-ant cavity-nesting-ant prairie-ecology social-insect myrmecology forest-floor Temnothorax Formicidae Hymenoptera
Temnothorax curvispinosus
acorn ant, Bent-spined Acorn Ant
Temnothorax curvispinosus is a small cavity-nesting ant species common throughout the eastern United States. The species is frequently called the "acorn ant" due to its habit of nesting in hollowed-out acorns and other small plant cavities. Colonies exhibit sophisticated collective decision-making when selecting nest sites, with active workers recruiting nestmates through quality-dependent delays and quorum-based transport strategies. The species has been used as a model organism for studying social insect behavior, micronutrient dynamics, and urban thermal adaptation.
acorn-ant cavity-nesting-ant model-organism collective-behavior urban-evolution thermal-adaptation micronutrient-ecology nest-site-selection social-insect Myrmicinae
Temnothorax rugatulus
Western Acorn Ant
Temnothorax rugatulus is a small myrmicine ant species native to western North America, notable for its sophisticated collective decision-making behaviors and remarkable polymorphism in queen size. The species exhibits two distinct queen morphs: large macrogynes associated with single-queen (monogynous) colonies, and smaller microgynes found in multiple-queen (polygynous) colonies. This species has become an important model organism for studying social insect behavior, communication, and the molecular mechanisms underlying caste determination and phenotypic plasticity.
model-organism social-insect behavioral-ecology collective-decision-making caste-polymorphism epigenetics alarm-communication quorum-sensing cavity-nesting-ant western-North-America
Wasmannia auropunctata
little fire ant, electric ant
Wasmannia auropunctata, commonly known as the little fire ant or electric ant, is a small invasive ant native to Central and South America. It has spread to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. The species is known for its painful sting relative to its size and is listed among the world's most destructive invasive species. It exhibits facultative reproductive polymorphism, with some populations reproducing sexually and others clonally.
invasive-species agricultural-pest medical-entomology social-insect tramp-species biological-control-target formicidae myrmicinae
Zootermopsis
dampwood termites
Zootermopsis is a genus of dampwood termites in the family Archotermopsidae, containing four extant and one extinct species native to western North America. These termites inhabit decaying wood in temperate rain forests, where they digest cellulose with the aid of symbiotic gut protists and bacteria. The genus exhibits complex social organization with distinct castes including reproductives, soldiers, and pseudergates. Species identification relies on subsidiary tooth morphology in non-soldier castes, a more reliable method than soldier-based characteristics.
Isoptera dampwood-termite social-insect wood-decay temperate-rainforest protist-symbiosis caste-polymorphism epigenetics North-America Japan-introduced