Beneficial Species Profile

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Beneficial Species Profile Photo credit: April Nobile, California Academy of Sciences (Specimen CASENT 0005334; from https://www.antweb.org) Common Name: Predatory Ant (Legionary ants; New World army ants) Scientific Name: Neivamyrmex opacithorax Order and Family: Order Hymenoptera; Family Formicidae Size and Appearance: Length (mm) Appearance Egg Larva/Nymph Adult Major workers range These ants have reduced eyes, a prominent stinger, 12 from 3 – 5 mm segmented antennae without a club, and a two-part waist. The workers are polymorphic and have greatly Queens range from reduced eyes. The texture on the head and thorax is 10 – 14 mm very weak and the workers appear smooth and shining. They vary in color from a light to a dark reddish brown. Males from 11 – 13 mm Queens lack wings but males have wings. Pupa (if applicable) Type of feeder (Chewing, sucking, etc.): Chewing Host(s): This predatory ant feeds on ants and carabid beetles. Description of Benefits (predator, parasitoid, pollinator, etc.): The raids of this ant may foster ant species diversity, which benefits the ecosystem and may control pest insect species in agricultural systems. They feed primarily on ants and carabid beetles. This predatory ant is found in Central America and the USA, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. References: Gotwald, W.H. (1995). Army ants: the biology of social predation. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Klotz, J., Hansen, L., Pospischil, R., & Rust, M. (2008). Urban ants of North American and Europe: identification, biology, and management. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Neivamyrmex opacithorax. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Neivamyrmex_opacithorax .

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1 KEY to the DESERT ANTS of CALIFORNIA. James Des Lauriers
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