Formica cinerea
| Formica cinerea | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| worker | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Tribe: | Formicini |
| Genus: | Formica |
| Species: | F. cinerea |
| Binomial name | |
| Formica cinerea Mayr, 1853 | |
Formica cinerea is a large-bodied (workers 4-7, queens 8–11 mm), agile species of ants distributed through the majority of Europe. Underground nest are usually built in dry and sunny sand habitats with scarce vegetation. It is often found together with the ant Lasius psammophilus on sand-dunes. Also occurs in human-constructed open habitats such as river dams, on seaside beaches and occurs up to 1800–2500 m in the mountains. It predates mostly invertebrate prey and also feeds on honeydew. Colonies my either be monogyne or polygyne, the latter frequently develop into vast and very populous polydomous systems.
References
- Csősz S, Markó B, Gallé L 2011. The myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hungary: an updated checklist North-Western Journal of Zoology 7: 55—62.
- Czechowski W, Markó B 2005. Competition between Formica cinerea Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and co-occurring ant species, with special reference to Formica rufa L.: direct and indirect interferences Polish Journal of Ecology 53: 467—487.
- Markó B, Czechowski W 2004. Lasius psammophilus Seifert and Formica cinerea Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on sand dunes: conflicts and coexistence Annales Zoologici 54: 365—378.
External links
Media related to Formica cinerea at Wikimedia Commons