Ectatomma tuberculatum

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Biology


Ectatomma tuberculatum workers tending Phyllotropis cingulata (Membracidae). This mutualistic relationship has become a textbook example - The treehoppers secrete honeydew (a liquid rich in sugary compounds and minerals) that the ants are after, and in return the ants offer their "cattle" some protection from predators. Photographed in Ecuador by Gil Wizen.

Nomenclature

 *  tuberculatum. Formica tuberculata Olivier, 1792: 498 (w.q.) TRINIDAD. Smith, F. 1858b: 102 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952a: 129 (l.). Combination in Ectatomma: Smith, F. 1858b: 102. Senior synonym of tridentata: Smith, F. 1858b: 102; of ferrugineus: Emery, 1892b: 167; of irregularis, punctigerum: Weber, 1946a: 2; of acrista: Kempf, 1962b: 2.
 * tridentata. Formica tridentata Fabricius, 1804: 412 (w.) "America meridionali". Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Smith, F. 1858b: 102.
 * ferruginea. Ectatomma ferruginea Norton, 1868a: 61, pl. 2, fig. 4 (w.m.) MEXICO. Norton, 1868c: 5 (w.m., descriptions). Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Emery, 1892b: 167.
 * punctigerum. Ectatomma tuberculatum var. punctigerum Emery, 1890a: 56 (w.) VENEZUELA. Lever, 1930: 214 (q.). Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Weber, 1946a: 2.
 * acrista. Ectatomma tuberculatum subsp. acrista Forel, 1909a: 254 (w.q.) PARAGUAY. Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Weber, 1946a: 2. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Brown, 1958g: 208. Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Kempf, 1962b: 2.
 * irregularis. Ectatomma tuberculatum var. irregularis Santschi, 1921g: 83 (w.) COLOMBIA. Junior synonym of tuberculatum: Weber, 1946a: 2.