Tetramorium

is a genus of small- to medium-sized myrmicine ants whose considerable diversity is centered in the old world. Several species have been transported extensively with human commerce, including the common European pavement ant, now among the most abundant insects in temperate North American cities.

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As neighboring Tetramorium pavement ant colonies grow into each others' territories, they test their strength in extended battles.

Champaign, Illinois, USA

These predatory Tetramorium pavement ants have caught a soil-nesting Lasioglossum bee. Both are common sidewalk insects in eastern North America.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

A Tetramorium worker pins down a bee.

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Tetramorium hispidum, along with its sister species T. spinosum, present an unsolved evolutionary mystery of the North American ant fauna. Tetramorium, an ubiquitous and extraordinarily diverse genus in Africa and Asia, is nearly absent in the Americas. These two species, both confined to the desert Southwest, are the only native Tetramorium in the hemisphere. When and how the ancestor of these ants arrived is not known.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Tetramorium hispidum, along with its sister species T. spinosum, presents an unsolved evolutionary mystery of the North American ant fauna. Tetramorium, an ubiquitous and extraordinarily diverse genus in Africa and Asia, is nearly absent in the Americas. These two species, both confined to the desert Southwest, are the only native Tetramorium in the hemisphere. When and how the ancestor of these ants arrived is not known.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Portrait of Tetramorium hispidum. The wrinkled texture of the head and body help reinforce the hard integument, providing a tough body armor. This ant is only about 4 millimeters long.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Tetramorium hispidum

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Tetramorium nodiferum

Kibale forest, Uganda

As neighboring Tetramorium pavement ant colonies grow into each others' territories, they test their strength in extended battles.

Champaign, Illinois, USA

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Keywords: fight battle ants fighting behavior insect territory insects ecology aggression formicidae ants fighting tetramorium myrmicinae worker ant pavement ant tetramorium caespitum pavement ants

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Tetramorium

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