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
A queen Polyergus breviceps with a host Formica argentea worker.

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

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

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013