Subfamily Dolichoderinae

Subfamily Dolichoderinae

Descriptive Characteristic: Habitat:- Ants in this subfamily have reduced petiole, - All over the world the postpetiole is fused to the gaster- Sting is vestigial or absent (not visible)- Very strong scent- Transverse cloacal orifice

Behavior:- Aggressive, bite but do not sting

Genus Linepithema

Compiled by Hilda Taylor

Genus Azteca

Worker

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat: -Only petiole is visible - Mexico

- Arboreal (trees and branches)- Medium size ants

Behavior:- Aggressive, bite do not sting- Run very fast

Note: When placed in alcohol, they curve their gaster above the mesosoma

Queen

Gaster

Genus Dolichoderus

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:- W ide range in sizes - NE in US and Mexico (forest-like)- Long neck - Trees, dead branches (~3/4” diam) and- Propodeum has spines or angles and twigs- Strong unpleasant scent - Distributed from lowlands to mountainous

regionsBehavior- Very aggressive, bite cannot sting- Run very fast

Long skinny neck

Propodeum has spines or angles

Genus Dorymyrmex(Conomyrmex)

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:- Monomorphic - Common in disturbed areas- Unique conical projection on propodeum - Nest in soil, sand- Hairs under the head (used to haul sand)- Strong scent

Behavior:- Run very fast (crazy little guys)

Genus Forelius

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:-Monomorphic - Occurs in xeric habitats from -Strong scent Great Lakes south in US and-Petiole node visible Mexico-Long hairs from clypeus extending over head - Common in urban habitats and mandibles (longer than in Linepithema, spp) (disturbed habitats areas)

Behavior - Aggressive

Hairs in clypeus

Genus Linepithema(Iridomyrmex)

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:- No hairs on alitrunk - Mesic and urban habitats- Propodeum sticks up like a rectangular structure - Rare in xeric zones above the mesonotum

Behavior:- Aggressive- Spray chemicals when threatened (Solenopsis invicta cannot handle them)

Genus Liometopum

Alitrunk convex

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:- Polymorphic - Western US and Mexico- Eyes not on edges, they are near the middle - Oak forests of the head- Antennal origin is close to the clypeus- Alitrunk is convex- Strong scent

Behavior:- Aggressive

Note: Very similar to Camponotus, spp, but it does not have a scent

Genus Tapinoma

Descriptive Characteristics: Habitat:- Monomorphic - Southern Mexico- Petiole mode very low and anteriorly - Tempered zones, tropics inclinded (appearing absent), often hidden - Common in wetter sites under under gaster rocks.- US ant is dark brown - Nest in dead branches, rotting

fallen trees, rotting stumps and in the soil.- Common in houses

Behavior- Aggressive- Workers forage on trees, herbaceous plants

and below ground

Petiole Gaster overhangsthe petiole