Polyergus sp. nr. breviceps.  The ant fauna in North America is still poorly enough studied that dozens of species have yet to receive a formal scientific name.  This slave-raiding ant is one of them.  It is a parasite of the common field ant Formica subsericea in the midwest.

Champaign, Illinois, USA
A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
A dulotic colony of the slave-raiding ant Polyergus breviceps and its host, the silver field ant Formica argentea.  

California, USA
Polyergus breviceps slave-raiding ant with its Formica argentea host.  Notice the difference in mandible shape in the two species- the sharp tines in the slave-raider for fighting, and the broad working mandibles in the host.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Polyergus breviceps slave-raiding ant with its Formica argentea host.  Notice the difference in mandible shape in the two species- the sharp tines in the slave-raider for fighting, and the broad working mandibles in the host.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica argentea and Polyergus breviceps

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Polyergus breviceps carrying a pilfered pupa back from a successful afternoon raid in the Sierra Nevada.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Polyergus sp. nr. breviceps. The ant fauna in North America is still poorly enough studied that dozens of species have yet to receive a formal scientific name. This slave-raiding ant is one of them. It is a parasite of the common field ant Formica subsericea in the midwest.

Champaign, Illinois, USA
Polyergus sp. nr. breviceps.  The ant fauna in North America is still poorly enough studied that dozens of species have yet to receive a formal scientific name.  This slave-raiding ant is one of them.  It is a parasite of the common field ant Formica subsericea in the midwest.

Champaign, Illinois, USA
Polyergus sp. nr. breviceps. The ant fauna in North America is still poorly enough studied that dozens of species have yet to receive a formal scientific name. This slave-raiding ant is one of them. It is a parasite of the common field ant Formica subsericea in the midwest.

Champaign, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013