Formica

is an ubiquitous formicine genus across temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. These large, alert ants are diverse in behavior and ecology. Formica includes some slave-raiders as well as less extreme forms of social parasitism.

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Formica obscuripes nestmate workers engaging in trophallaxis, or the social sharing of liquid food.

Wisconsin, USA

Formica obscuripes ant examining eggs of the Northern Walking Stick Diapheromera femorata. Ants find the seed-like eggs attractive and may carry them to protected overwintering sites.

Wisconsin, USA

Formica obscuripes mound ants gather honeydew from aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA

Formica obscuripes nestmate workers engaging in trophallaxis, or the social sharing of liquid food. This behavior does more than merely transfer food. Ants also use it to pass chemical signals among each other, and research has shown that trophallaxis helps the colony maintain a cohesive identifying odor.

Wisconsin, USA

Formica obscuriventris

South Bristol, New York, USA

Formica obscuripes nestmate workers engaging in trophallaxis, or the social sharing of liquid food.

Wisconsin, USA

Canon EOS 50D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 4752x3168 |

Current: 800x534 |

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Formica

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