Formica incerta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Formica incerta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Formica incerta worker | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Genus: | Formica |
| Species: | F. incerta |
| Binomial name | |
| Formica incerta | |
Formica incerta is a species of ant found in eastern North America. It is the most common species of Formica in many areas, and excavates underground nests with small entrance holes. Its diet includes nectar produced by extrafloral nectaries and honeydew, which it obtains from aphids and treehoppers. It is the main host for the slave-making ant Polyergus lucidus. F. incerta was first described by Italian entomologist Carlo Emery in 1893. Its specific name comes from the Latin incertus meaning "uncertain" and seems particularly apt given the subsequent uncertainty as to the validity of the species and the difficulty in distinguishing this ant from other species living in the same area.[1]
A worker of F. incerta is very similar in appearance to Formica pallidefulva, but the former has a few chaetae on the mesosoma and around the petiole, while the latter does not. F. incerta is a slightly paler colour and less glossy than F. pallidefulva but considerable variability exists between specimens and between colonies.[2] The queen is larger than the workers and can be distinguished from a queen of other species by three dark spots on her thorax.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Formica incerta is native to the eastern half of the United States. Its range extends from Minnesota, Nebraska, New England, and the Appalachian balds southwards to Colorado and possibly New Mexico. It is present in sandy and clayey soils and favors old grassland, meadows, and heathland, but is also found in sparse woodlands, forest rides, prairies, parks, lawns, and roadside verges. In many areas, it is the most abundant species of Formica ant and the first to recolonize restored grassland.[1][2]
