Social-parasites
Guides
Dolichovespula
Aerial Yellowjackets, yellowjackets
Dolichovespula is a genus of social wasps in the family Vespidae, commonly known as aerial yellowjackets. These wasps build exposed paper nests in trees, shrubs, or under building overhangs rather than underground. The genus includes approximately 20 species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with notable members including the baldfaced hornet (D. maculata) and the aerial yellowjacket (D. arenaria). Some species, such as D. arctica, are social parasites that lack a worker caste and infiltrate nests of other Dolichovespula species to exploit their workforce.
Formica
wood ants, mound ants, field ants
Formica is a large and ecologically significant genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae, commonly known as wood ants, mound ants, or field ants. The genus includes species with diverse life histories, ranging from free-living colony founders to facultative and obligate social parasites. Many species construct conspicuous earthen mounds that can reach several feet in diameter and height, while others nest in dead wood. Formica ants are notable for their complex social structures, including both single-queen (monogynous) and multiple-queen (polygynous) colonies, with social organization sometimes controlled by supergenes. The genus serves as host for specialized slave-making ants in the genus Polyergus and supports diverse communities of myrmecophilous organisms.
Nylanderia
Crazy ants
Nylanderia is a large genus of formicine ants with over 130 described species and a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, notably absent from Europe. The genus was resurrected from synonymy with Paratrechina in 2010 based on molecular phylogenetics and morphological reassessment. Species range from small to medium in size (1–4 mm) and exhibit coloration from pale yellow to black. Several species are significant invasive pests, including N. fulva (tawny crazy ant) and N. bourbonica, which form massive supercolonies and cause ecological and economic damage.