Formica indianensis

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Formica indianensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Formicini
Genus: Formica
Species group: microgyna
Species: F. indianensis
Binomial name
Formica indianensis
Cole, 1940

Formica indianensis casent0105749 profile 1.jpg

Formica indianensis casent0105749 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

At a Glance • Temporary parasite  

Identification

The scape and tibiae of this species are almost without erect hairs, except for a few scattered bristles on the flexor surface of the tibiae. Erect hairs are sparse, but include a few scattered hairs on the clypeus, up to six erect hairs on the dorsum of the head, up three erect hairs on the ventral surface of the head, erect hairs scattered on the dorsum of the mesosoma, on the petiole, and on all surfaces of the gaster. Many of the hairs areunt tipped, especially those on the pronotum. The head, mesosoma, petiole, and appendages are reddish-brown with infuscation on the upper surfaces, the gaster is dark brown. All surfaces are dull and punctate.

This species could be confused with Formica postoculata, Formica difficilis and Formica querquetulana, but can be separated by the few hairs on the dorsum of the head.

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Nearctic Region: United States (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
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Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
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Biology

This species is likely to be a temporary parasite of another species of Formica, but its host is unknown.

Castes

Male

Images from AntWeb

Formica indianensis casent0103358 head 1.jpgFormica indianensis casent0103358 profile 1.jpgFormica indianensis casent0103358 profile 2.jpgFormica indianensis casent0103358 profile 3.jpgFormica indianensis casent0103358 dorsal 1.jpgFormica indianensis casent0103358 label 1.jpg
Paratype of Formica indianensisMale (alate). Specimen code casent0103358. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by USNM, Washington, DC, USA.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • indianensis. Formica indianensis Cole, 1940: 224 (w.m.) U.S.A.

Taxonomic Notes

It is possible that it will be shown to be a synonym of Formica postoculata when more material of both species becomes available. Both F. postoculata and F. indianensis may be synonyms of F. difficilis.

Description

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Carroll T. M. 2011. The ants of Indiana (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Master's Thesis Purdue university, 385 pages.
  • Cole A. C., Jr. 1940. A new ant from Indiana. American Midland Naturalist 23: 224-226.