Neivamyrmex carolinensis

This species nests in the soil or under stones on rocky hillsides (in NM). Nests are large, up to 50,000 workers. Foragers are rarely seen above the ground, as they are active nocturnally. Flights occur in May and June. Trail pheromones are used in foraging. This is the only species known to be polygynous (multiple queens in a nest). Workers in laboratory nests with gynes present live longer than workers without the gyne. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Identification
Key to the Neivamyrmex species of the United States

This species is unusual among our species of Neivamyrmex, in that the presence of a distinct eye facet is variable, present in some individuals, absent in others. Generally, a facet is present in larger individuals, but even this is subject to variation. This feature is shared with its sister species, Neivamyrmex kiowapache. (Snelling and Snelling 2007)

The dorsum of the head of the worker is smooth and glossy, with scattered piligerous (hair bearing) punctures. The mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole are mostly smooth, and some areas are distinctly glossy. The node of the petiole is nearly square in shape, as seen from above. The eye is cellus-like, with a definite cornea. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
Virginia and North Carolina south to Florida, west to Tennessee and Louisiana. Neivamyrmex carolinensis is a wide ranging eastern species. Long considered to extend into the central and western United States as far as Arizona, it is now known that the populations west of the Mississippi River belong to a hitherto unrecognized sibling species. That species is described below as Neivamyrmex kiowapache. We are unable to confirm the presence of this species in Nebraska and Ohio (M. R. Smith, 1942) nor have we seen any specimens from Louisiana. (Snelling and Snelling 2007)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Habitat
Pine Forest.

Nomenclature

 *  carolinensis. Eciton (Acamatus) carolinense Emery, 1894c: 184 (diagnosis in key) (w.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1921d: 314 (q.m.). Combination in E. (Neivamyrmex): Smith, M.R. 1942c: 564; in Neivamyrmex: Borgmeier, 1953: 6. See also: Borgmeier, 1955: 507; Smith, D.R. 1979: 1330; Snelling, G.C. & Snelling, R.R., 2007: 468.