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Formica indianensis
| Formica indianensis | |
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| 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
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| 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
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
     
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| Paratype of Formica indianensis. Male (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
- Carroll, T.M. 2011. The ants of Indiana (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). M.S. thesis, Purdue University.
- Cole, A. C., Jr. 1940a. A new ant from Indiana. Am. Midl. Nat. 23: 224-226.
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.